Top Totty ale banned in Commons

Staffordshire brewery bosses today spoke of their dismay after their Top Totty ale was banned from sale at Parliament because its pump plate featuring a half-naked blonde offended women.

It was withdrawn from the famous Strangers' Bar at Westminster after a woman MP took offence at its cheeky pump clip.

An image of the woman in a bikini with bunny ears has been the symbol of Stafford-based Slater's Brewery four per cent blonde beer for many years.

Within 90 minutes of shadow equalities minister Kate Green complaining yesterday it had been removed from sale.

Miss Green claimed she was left "disturbed" after seeing the image and demanded bar staff remove Top Totty from sale.

She told the Commons: "I was disturbed last night to learn that the guest beer in the Strangers' Bar is called Top Totty and there is a picture of a nearly-naked woman on the tap."

The beer was withdrawn after Commons' Leader Sir George Young told MPs: "Action will be taken."

Slater's sales director Fay Slater, aged 33, wife of head brewer Andrew Slater, said: "It's a popular beer, it has won gold awards.

"Okay the pump clip is a little cheeky, but that's generally what they are like.

"We don't want to offend anyone, but if there was a major complaint we would be happy to change it."

Vicki Slater, owner of the George Inn in Castle Street, Eccleshall, where the brewery business started before it moved to a site in St Albans Road in Stafford, said: "We've brewed Top Totty for 10 years or more and there's never been a problem."

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy said: "I invited Slater's to put forward a guest ale to the bar following a visit to the brewery site in Stafford.

"I am keen to support local businesses and British beer."