Sexist 'Top Totty' parliamentary beer sparks outrage

Thursday, 2 February 2012 2:17 PM

By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt

A beer was removed from sale on the parliamentary estate this afternoon, after a Labour MP complained it was sexist.

The guest beer, which was being sold in the Strangers Bar in parliament, appeared with a half-naked cartoon woman on the tap and the phrase 'Top Totty' on it.

"I was disturbed last night to learn that the guest beer in the Stranger's Bar is called 'Top Totty' and there is a picture of a nearly naked woman on the tap," Labour's Kate Green said in the Commons at midday.

Within two hours it had been banned from the estate, although a small army of political journalists reportedly made the journey to the bar in the meantime to try a pint of the beer before it was removed.

"We have withdrawn it from sale today. I do not think there is very much left," a Commons spokesman said later.

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy had nominated it as a guest ale after visiting the brewery, which is in his constituency.

The post celebrating its inclusion had been removed from his website this afternoon, but he issued a statement saying: "These guest ale slots offer a very welcome opportunity for small independent breweries, like Slater’s, to reach a wider audience with their products, some of which have cheeky names.

"However, I can understand that some people may take offence to the marketing, which I am sorry about."

Tags:
• alcohol
,
• parliament
,
• sex equality