{
  "id": 6285034,
  "title": "‘Breathtaking arrogance’: Khan slams Westminster ‘vertical drinking’ curbs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/breathtaking-arrogance-khan-slams-westminster-vertical-drinking-curbs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T13:37:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/breathtaking-arrogance-khan-slams-westminster-vertical-drinking-curbs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, has expressed his strong disapproval of the \"breathtaking arrogance\" demonstrated by Westminster council in their pursuit of stricter regulations on \"vertical drinking\" in the borough. The mayor's remarks came in response to the council's decision to implement a licensing policy that includes an effective ban on new bars and pubs, as well as efforts to discourage the practice of standing up while drinking. Khan criticized the council for ignoring the concerns of those who oppose their plans and for viewing hospitality establishments in the heart of the capital city as a problem. Instead, he claims they would rather see the nightlife industry \"die than thrive.\" The Conservative-controlled Westminster council has confirmed it will press ahead with its measures, despite widespread outrage earlier this summer. The new rules are aimed at reducing or eliminating venues with excessive \"vertical drinking\" and are based on the assumption that places where people stand up while drinking tend to be more crowded, noisy, and less orderly. Critics, including the deputy leader of Westminster city council, Tim Barnes, argue that opposition to these new rules stems from misunderstandings of terminology, rather than genuine concerns about public safety.",
  "summary": "Sadiq Khan has hit out at the “breathtaking arrogance” of Westminster council, as it pressed ahead with plans to crack down on so-called vertical drinking in the borough. The mayor of London has slammed the council for pushing ahead with its new licensing policy, which also includes an effective ban on new bars and pubs [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}