COMMONS ABUSE
FEMALE STAFF ‘GROPED AND BULLIED’ Probe finds culture of silence over complaints
THERE is a conspiracy of silence to cover up abuse of female staff in Parliament, a report claims.
Workers are allegedly preyed on by “boorish male MPs” who grope them, comment on their appearance and quiz them on their sex lives.
The independent inquiry heard the cover-up comes from the top down and has slammed the current leadership, including Speaker John Bercow.
Complaints included frequent propositioning, “predatory” behaviour and “inappropriate touching” – in an atmosphere fuelled by ready access to alcohol.
Women also claim to have been abused in “vulgar gender-related terms”, sworn at and belittled on an “almost daily” basis.
The inquiry was set up in April following allegations that clerks and other officials at the Palace of Westminster were bullied by MPs.
Those accused, including Bercow, strongly deny the claims.
The report said: “The most serious allegations related to the alleged ‘predatory’ conduct of a few individuals but overall the allegations indicate that sexual harassment has been a more widespread problem, and it crosses the political sphere.
“All of the allegations (of sexual harassment) were made against men. Some are no longer in the House but others continue to serve as elected members.”
The report said problems were exacerbated by a prevailing culture where senior managers were unwilling to challenge MPs and where MPs “have never
feared any sort of discipline over bad behaviour”.
Dame Laura Cox QC, who led the probe, said a new complaints and grievance process “won’t come close to solving the problems”.
Labour MP Jess Phillips, a member of the Women and Equalities Committee, said: “What we’re talking about is a power imbalance where the staff feel they have to keep quiet.”
Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom said: “I will study the findings of Dame Laura Cox’s report closely and consider next steps.”
A spokesman for the Commons said: “Bullying and harassment have no place in the House of Commons.”
The Commons Executive Board said they met yesterday over the report, which made “difficult reading”.
They added: “We accept the need for change.”