Dubai's Five Palm Jumeirah pledges security review but says fight videos were exaggerated

The self-styled party hotel said there were isolated scuffles after an event

Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel in a publicity picture

The head of Dubai's Five Palm Jumeirah said the hotel will review security following isolated scuffles after a party at the weekend.

The hotel confirmed there were "minor incidents" as groups left an event last week. It said no one was injured.

A brief video circulated on social media showed a scuffle between revellers in a lobby.

But Five chief executive Aloki Batra said the incident was blown out of proportion on social media.

"These posts combined some minor incidents to try and create a major incident out of nothing," Mr Batra told The National.

“The main issue is the false information about a stabbing. This is very serious and it just did not happen, it is nonsense.

“We have beefed up our security considerably based on the new coronavirus regulations as every venue must be empty by 3am."

He said it was clear that large numbers of people leaving a venue could result in problems.

“If you have 300-400 people waiting for their cars or taxis at the same time it can be a problem, so we have staggered the departure of people from the club to make it easier for everyone," he said.

“On occasion people can get frustrated while they are waiting.”

Mr Batra said Dubai Police visited the hotel to check the validity of the video. The National contacted police for comment.

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Charlie Sloth hosts a weekly afternoon and evening brunch at the Five's Penthouse venue on Saturdays.

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Mr Batra said some social media users had targeted the resident DJ.

“He has never had this before.”

“He is very upset this slander has gone against him," the hotel executive said.

Sloth said there was no place for people who cause trouble at his events.

He added that attempts to "bring down the name of the Penthouse venue... is the most worrying and saddest thing".