Commons drinks party ends in fighting and CS gas arrest

Ian Thomas, 40, the founder of a media publishing company, was restrained for allegedly punching a policeman in the face when he was challenged in a corridor behind the Speaker's Chair in the chamber.

The officer suffered a split lip and was forced to use his CS spray in the mêlée.

Mr Thomas is a co-director of Islington-based Sugar Media, an independent publishing company which produces The Official Black History Month guide and The Student Times. He was with two other men who had been guests at a drinks party organised by Tory Party chairman Eric Pickles.

Conservative Party sources said the men left the event and started rowing in a corridor.

The incident happened shortly after 9.15pm last night when Tory officials were escorting guests, who did not hold Westminster security passes and are not allowed to roam restricted areas, to the building's exits. One report suggested those involved had slipped away and got into the area behind the Speaker's Chair when they were challenged by a police officer.

One became aggressive and allegedly lashed out at the policeman after being challenged. The officer then used CS spray to subdue him.

A witness told the Evening Standard three police officers had to hold down the man on the floor. The witness added: "I entered the corridor and saw police sitting on this man. My eyes felt sore and it was only afterwards someone said that the police had used a spray. I think that was a huge over-reaction."

A total of eight officers were called to the scene. The man was handcuffed, arrested and taken to a central London police station. He had a Westminster visitor's pass and was said to have looked dazed as he was led away.

The incident initially sparked a security alert but fears that the arrest was linked to a G20 protest were quickly dispelled as police realised the men had attended a Tory reception. The incident will spark questions about how the men were allowed to leave the party without an escort.

According to Tory sources the reception - held to mark Mr Pickles's appointment as party chairman - was peaceful. Beer from his Brentwood constituency was on offer. Mr Pickles had no idea of the chaos outside. One guest said that Mr Pickles, having been quizzed by the Serjeant at Arms, had asked a press officer: "Who is Ian Thomas?"

One report suggested that Mr Thomas shouted that he had HIV when he was being arrested. However, other sources claimed he was not capable of speech when he was held. Scotland Yard said the officer involved was not being sent for an HIV test. A spokesman also denied a report that pepper spray was used to detain the suspect.