Travelodge CEO Nixes MP Meeting Amid Safety Fears

Travelodge chief executive Jo Boydell canceled a planned meeting this month with more than 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) that was set to focus on hotel security procedures after a sexual assault case linked to access controls at one of the chain’s properties.

 

The session was expected to address safeguards following an incident in December 2022 in which a man obtained entry to a female guest’s room using a key card and then sexually assaulted her. The attacker, Kyran Smith, later faced prosecution; officials said he was convicted and, in February, sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

 

The survivor, who has not been identified, criticized the decision to cancel the meeting and said she was shocked. She argued that senior leadership has a responsibility to engage on issues involving guest safety and security practices, particularly when concerns have been raised by elected representatives.

 

Political pressure also followed. Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote to Boydell to express concern about the cancellation. Separately, the Prime Minister urged Travelodge to take engagement with MPs seriously, according to the account provided in the source material.

 

Details of the December 2022 incident described how Smith gained access at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The source material states he misled reception staff by claiming to be the victim’s boyfriend, which enabled him to obtain a key card and enter her room without authorization.

 

Boydell apologized to the victim and said the company introduced immediate changes to its door key policy. She also acknowledged being aware of other instances of unauthorized room entry. In addition, she said an initial offer of £30 in compensation to the victim was inadequate.

 

The survivor is pursuing legal action against the hotel chain, according to the source material. The status, timing, and scope of that legal process were not detailed, and Travelodge did not provide further specifics in the information provided.