Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2002
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Richard Alleyne

ACTRESS HORRIFIED TO FIND DAUGHTER, 2, WITH ECSTASY

Sadie Frost, the actress and fashion designer, was said to be "in shock" 
yesterday after her two-year-old daughter Iris swallowed half an ecstasy 
tablet at a children's party.

Sadie Frost leaves home with two-year-old Iris

Iris, the second child of Miss Frost and her husband Jude Law, the actor, 
picked up the tablet from the floor of the Soho House club in London during 
the party on Saturday afternoon.

She was taken to hospital where doctors conducted tests to see if she had 
been harmed by the drug. Iris was released yesterday with a clean bill of 
health.

Yesterday mother and daughter made an appearance on the steps of the 
family's £1.5 million Georgian townhouse in Primrose Hill, north London.

Miss Frost, who has just given birth to the couple's third child - she has 
a fourth child from a previous relationship - looked pale and drawn and 
refused to comment on whether she would be taking any action against the 
private members-only club.

Meena Khera, Miss Frost's agent, said: "The baby is fine but Sadie is still 
in shock. She is still trying to get her head around what happened.

"But Jude and Sadie just feel like the luckiest parents alive, as no 
serious harm came to their daughter."

Unlike her mother, Iris looked happy and healthy despite the trauma of the 
weekend.

Miss Frost, 34, had noticed her daughter with a tablet in her mouth and 
managed to grab most of it before raising the alarm.

The room where the party was being held had been used the previous evening 
by clubgoers, one of whom is believed to have left the pill. Law, 29, is 
filming in America and Frost is said to be "blaming herself" for looking 
away for a split second.

"She is extremely distressed and still coming to terms with it," a friend 
added. "Jude has been on the phone constantly over the weekend."

Police from the Clubs and Vice Unit of the Metropolitan Police and 
inspectors from Westminster city council, the licensing authority, were 
investigating.

Under new powers, police have the authority to close a club immediately if 
evidence of drug dealing is uncovered.

Furthermore, the council can revoke an entertainment licence if any 
wrongdoing is detected. Soho House's entertainment licence is due to be 
renewed next month. A council spokesman said: "We take the matter very 
seriously and drug taking is illegal. Any allegation of this nature is 
investigated."

Supt Chris Bradford, of the Clubs and Vice unit, said police will discuss 
the club's policy on searching their clientele for drugs.

He said: "It doesn't make the least bit of difference whether a children's 
party or a rave was being held in the club.

"We want to try to prevent the drugs going in in the first place. We are 
investigating to find out what happened and then will take it from there."

He added: "The club is very concerned and asking us to give them some help. 
They are horrified by what has happened and the bad publicity. They want us 
to sort it out." A spokesman for Soho House said yesterday that the club 
was co-operating fully with the police.

"It is made clear to all our members in the club's rules and regulations 
that drugs will not be tolerated on the premises," he added.

Soho House has over the years become the premier drinking spot for actors, 
pop stars and the media, and has a £400-a-year membership fee.

Situated in Greek Street, central London, it was opened in 1995 by Nick 
Jones, 38, the millionaire hotelier and husband of Kirsty Young, the news 
presenter.

Three years later he established its sister club Babington House, in 
Somerset, which is a country house hotel for its members.

The club, built into a block of townhouses, consists of a rabbit warren of 
bars, restaurants and private party rooms.

Those who have frequented the club include Damon Albarn, frontman of the 
band Blur, the actors Hugh Grant, Tim Roth and Rufus Sewell, and Norman 
Cook, otherwise known as the DJ Fatboy Slim, and his wife Zoe Ball, the 
former Radio One presenter.

The club has a strict confidentiality clause. Any member caught discussing 
what goes on inside is likely to be barred.

But despite its hedonistic reputation children are invited during the day, 
especially at weekends.

A senior source said: "Because Nick Jones has children they are invited and 
encouraged to come during the day. There is a family film club on Sunday as 
well as a creche service."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart