Hostesses at the controversial men-only dinner held by the Presidents Club were considered “play things” for men to “gawp at” and touch, a waitress has said.

The woman, aged in her 20s, claimed some of the women who then went to an after-party were treated by a number of men there as if they were sex workers.

Speaking anonymously to ITV News, she described how she had been made to feel very uncomfortable during the evening and was shocked by the behaviour of some of those in attendance.

She told the broadcaster: “I realised quite soon it was an odd job. It wasn’t a usual job. And the way the men behaved made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.”

Asked what the overall message appeared to be after the women first entered the room at the event, she said: “We were play things. We were objects for them to gawp at, touch. To be laughed at.”

She said she believed some women working there “knew what it was about and it was a fun time for them to get drunk” but added that many appeared uncomfortable and looked “deflated” by the end of the night.

She added that some men she spoke to also seemed uneasy about what was going on.

She said: “One guy said: ‘Is this happening? I’ve never been to this event before, it’s really odd.’ One guy said: ‘I wouldn’t want my daughter to go through this.’”

Interview with President’s Club dinner waitress by @itvnews. One guest said he was glad his daughter wasn’t there. But he didn’t walk out pic.twitter.com/nvP3ISzfmr— Robert Peston (@Peston) January 24, 2018
At an after-party she said some other girls entered the room and “acted more provocatively”.

Asked if she believed they may have been sex workers she said: “Yes. I was really wary of it and I was disgusted that was happening. I was worried about some of the girls who were talking to men.

“The men were treating them like sex workers. They were putting hands up skirts. Touching inappropriately. Some guys kissing other girls. It was uncomfortable.”

She said she is pleased the club has announced it is to close, adding: “I’ve done events before where you just serve drinks and wait around. I didn’t think it would be this seedy. We were paid to party and get as drunk as we could.”