MPs Demand Urgent Meeting with Travelodge CEO Following Maidenhead Sexual Assault Conviction
More than 20 Members of Parliament have called for an immediate meeting with the chief executive of Travelodge after a woman was sexually assaulted at one of the hotel chain's branches in Maidenhead. The incident occurred in December 2022 when reception staff provided Kyran Smith with the victim's room number and a key card, enabling the attack.
Conviction and Security Failures
Kyran Smith, aged 29, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison last month after being found guilty of sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence. The court heard that Smith deceived Travelodge staff by falsely claiming to be the victim's boyfriend, leading them to grant him access to her private room.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported that staff informed her Smith had passed security checks by providing her name. This breach of protocol has sparked widespread concern about the adequacy of Travelodge's safety measures for guests, particularly women traveling alone.
Political Outcry and Demands
In a letter addressed to Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell, the MPs expressed alarm over the security lapses and the company's subsequent response. The letter, signed by 26 MPs including former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Labour MPs Matt Bishop and Jen Craft, highlights several key issues:
- The decision-making process behind offering the victim a £30 refund, which was described as "insulting" given the circumstances.
- The internal reviews conducted by Travelodge following the assault to assess and improve security procedures.
- The specific steps taken to strengthen guest safety protocols across all hotel locations.
The MPs emphasized that hotels have a fundamental duty of care to protect their guests' privacy and safety, stating: "Guests must be able to trust that when they check into a room – particularly when traveling alone – their privacy and safety must be protected."
Travelodge's Response and Apology
Travelodge has issued an apology for how the situation was handled, acknowledging that the £30 refund was inappropriate. A spokesperson stated: "The safety and security of our guests is our priority and we were deeply concerned to hear of this distressing incident. Our sympathies are with the victim." The company confirmed it is reviewing its room security processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The letter from MPs has garnered cross-party support, with signatories including Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon and Labour peer Jane Ramsey. This collective action underscores the growing pressure on the hospitality industry to implement robust safety measures and respond appropriately to crimes committed on their premises.
