Comments by a Green MP on alcohol consumption in Westminster have sparked a debate around whether MPs should be able to drink while working. Newly elected MP Hannah Spencer made the comments last week when she claimed that "you can smell the alcohol when people are in between votes".

Speaking in an interview with the Joe website, she added that she felt "really uneasy" about the drinking culture in parliament. She added that there had been cases of "questionable and dangerous behaviour" by staff and potentially some MPs because of the "unprofessional" culture of drinking. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section.

The comments sparked division amongst MPs, with some labelling Spencer's complaints as another "wacky" Green policy.

Labour MP for York Outer Luke Charters said: "Breaking news: MPs are human and sometimes have a drink.

"Classic clickbait farming. MPs work long days for constituents, and yes, sometimes share a drink in the evening with colleagues.

"Last week I was scandalously spotted with... an alcohol-free pint or two between votes. But sure, let's talk about that instead of the Greens' wacky policies."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage went one step further, adding: "The Greens are happy to legalise heroin and crack, but now we learn they think an afternoon pint is a step too far."

However there was support for Spencer's concern by MPs across the house.

Alliance Party MP for Lagan Valley said: "Can't get my head around this, I worked in Tesco, Manufacturing, the Health Service & Construction- guess what? We all worked long hours, mostly on low pay and we had considerable levels of pressure.

"MPs drinking during work in Parliament? The place we make laws for all the other workers? And it's ok for us to drink during work? Don't think so.

"This completely out of touch attitude sums up perfectly why this entitled govt are so unpopular. If an NHS worker drank on shift they'd be sacked.

"It's clear so many of them have never worked an ordinary job in their lives."

Green Party leader Zack Polanski jumped to the defence of his MP, claiming that he had been shocked at the push back to Spencer's comments.

He told Sky News: "It's been pretty shocking to me to see Nigel Farage, and to be frank, Labour MPs, say that people work 15 hours a day so they should be able to have a drink before they vote.

"I know lots of people who work 15 hour days; cleaners, teachers, people who are doing work in the real economy.

"The idea to them that they would have a drink when they go back to work, they'd be fired for that and so they should."