No 10 vows to stop councils restricting standing in pubs, calling it 'part of British life'

Downing Street vowed to stop councils restricting drinkers from standing in pubs, describing standing at the bar as "part of British life," The Guardian reported. The intervention followed reporting that Westminster City Council's draft licensing policy recommended against "vertical drinking." The council denied any ban, with deputy leader Tim Barnes calling the claims a "wilful misreading."