Practically 100 MPs have known as for an pressing assembly with Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell following a surprising safety lapse on the chain’s Maidenhead department in December 2022. Workers handed a key card and room quantity to Kyran Smith, 29, who falsely claimed to be the visitor’s boyfriend, enabling him to assault her within the early hours. Smith acquired a seven-and-a-half-year jail sentence final month for the rape.
The Incident Unfolds
The sufferer, a girl in her 30s who can’t be named, had booked the room alone—her first solo lodge keep. Smith, figuring out her identify, satisfied reception employees with none verification or examine together with her. MPs spotlight that no steps had been taken to verify consent for entry.
MPs Increase Alarms on Safety
In a strongly worded letter, the MPs categorical deep issues over the breach. They word that employees supplied Smith with the room particulars after his false declare, regardless of the solo reserving. “Travelodge states this adopted present procedures, elevating severe questions on safeguards for visitors, particularly girls touring alone,” the letter states.
The group seeks detailed info on key card insurance policies, employees coaching on safeguarding, Violence Towards Ladies and Women protocols, and deliberate enhancements to guard visitors.
Sufferer’s Ordeal and Resort Response
The girl described the phobia of the assault after unknowingly granting entry. A Travelodge spokesperson responded: “We wish to apologise to the sufferer for the best way this incident has been dealt with. Travelodge adopts trade normal safety procedures which had been adopted on the time of the incident in 2022. We’ll perform a full overview of our room safety insurance policies to study from this incident and additional strengthen our procedures.”
CEO Jo Boydell now faces requests to satisfy MPs and friends to deal with these failings and description reforms.
