Calls for racism investigation after claims nightclub charged black people twice as much for entry

Calls for a nightclub to be investigated have been made after claims it charged white and black people different entry fees.

Drama, located in the Hilton hotel on Park Lane, is coming under scrutiny from two Westminster City councillors after a string of allegations of racism, which it strongly denies.

Nadine Marsh-Edwards claimed earlier this month that her daughter was asked to pay £20 to enter the West End club, while white women were charged £10.

Reviews on Tripadvisor allege similar treatment by door staff at the upmarket nightspot. Several reviewers wrote that black and minority ethnic people were wrongly told that the club was full, while white people were allowed in.

One man, who identified himself as a black man called George P, said that he was told he was not allowed into the club but his white wife was.

Two Labour members of Westminster City Council are calling for an investigation into racist entrance policies across nightclubs in the West End.

"We are now calling for an inquiry because this allegation appears to be just the tip of a very ugly iceberg”, said Cllr Andrea Mann, who is working with Cllr Pancho Lewis on the issue.

"TripAdvisor and Google are full of reviews claiming racial discrimination at several West End nightclubs - and there are far too many accusations to be dismissed.

"Westminster Council needs to send out a clear, urgent signal that these voices are being heard, that it takes these allegations seriously and that there is zero tolerance of racism in our borough.

"The best way it can do that is to announce a full and proper investigation into this practice and how widespread it is."

A spokesperson for Drama, Park Lane said, “We are co-operating with enquiries from Westminster Council. We reaffirm our position that we do not tolerate any form of discrimination against any individual or group.”