A NEW centre for binge drinking has been identified in the heart of London: the headquarters of the British Medical Association.

The BMA, which condemned 24-hour drinking last week and called for higher taxes on alcohol, faces accusations of hypocrisy after complaints of drunken antics at its central London headquarters.

It has emerged that while blaming everyone else for Britain’s binge-drinking culture and demanding a general sobering-up, the BMA wants to stay open for two hours longer, until 1am. Its application to extend its drinking licence has attracted allegations of antisocial behaviour by partygoers.

The BMA hires out its grade II listed building for wedding receptions and other social functions where the guests often include doctors. It charges up to £4,000 a time.

However, residents of nearby homes have complained of the guests “frolicking” on scaffolding outside the building, “urin-ating” outside neighbouring properties on Tavistock Square Continued on page 2 and “causing disturbances” in the early hours.

It has also been suggested that late-night parties at the BMA could be linked to a rise in the vandalism of cars in the square.

Details of the unruly behaviour emerged at a meeting of licensing officials at Camden council earlier this month. The BMA had hoped to make use of new drinking laws to extend its licence from 11pm to 1am.

Don Williams, who chaired the meeting, said: “We heard evidence of a number of complaints by local residents and the Metropolitan police.”

Lawyers for the BMA have agreed to bar patrons from drinking outside and to ensure that there is 24-hour security on the premises. Once those concessions had been made, Camden council allowed an extension to 12.30am.

A report by the National Audit Office this week is expected to say that lucrative new contracts for GPs have been a mistake, because doctors are refusing to work longer hours in exchange for their pay rises.

A Department of Health source said: “It’s ironic that they want to extend their drinking time by two hours – patients would be happy if they agreed to work an extra two to three hours.”

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