'Bare breasts' drinks offer apology
A pub chain has apologised after a former minister condemned a "wretched" bar for offering free drinks to women who bared their breasts to staff.
Labour MP for Rotherham Denis MacShane claimed the Sinners bar in Newcastle was promoting the degradation of women customers by encouraging them to go topless.
He praised Newcastle University students for a recent boycott of the city centre venue and urged ministers to encourage other students to spread the "feminist message".
Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the pub was behaving irresponsibly but suggested the Government had provided powers to end such advertising.
On Monday night the North Shields-based Ladhar Group, which owns the bar, apologised and said a member of staff had been disciplined.
A spokeswoman said: "The offensive notice in question was displayed without the knowledge of the directors of Ladhar or senior management at the bar.
"After an investigation a male member of staff was disciplined and given a final written warning.
"We apologise to any customers who saw the notice and were offended."