Party leaders agree new safeguards for staff to tackle sleaze

Westminster: Face-to-face HR support among the steps taken

Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and other party leaders have agreed to introduce new safeguards for parliamentary staff as Westminster continues to be plagued by sleaze allegations.

The Prime Minister said party leaders agreed at a meeting in parliament to introduce a new grievance procedure and upgrade an existing complaints hotline to a face-to-face human resources service.

The latter will be introduced by the end of the month and the new grievance procedure should be in place next year, Mrs May told reporters.

Speaking after the meeting in her parliamentary office, Mrs May said: “Sadly, over recent days, we have seen a number of allegations about figures from across the political parties and it’s

“And we’ve also agreed that we need a completely new grievance procedure for staff working here ... THERESA MAY

important that those are investigated impartially and some have rightly been referred to the police.

“I think if this hasn’t happened to you it’s difficult to appreciate the impact that being a victim of this sort of behaviour can have, it simply has a lasting impact on people.

“And we need to do more to stop these abuses of power and I’m pleased that having convened this meeting of party leaders today, we have agreed a way forward.

“We are going to ensure that there’s an upgrade to the existing phone line for staff so that staff in future will be able to get face-to-face HR support and for that to be in place by the end of the month.

“And we’ve also agreed that we need a completely new grievance procedure for staff working here, for everybody working here, and that that should come into effect in the new year.

“So I think an important step forward has been taken today, it’s important that we get this right, and I’m sorry that we have seen these abuses of power – too many taking place over too many years.

“And the fact that they have taken place here at our seat of democracy should be a matter of shame for us all.”

Picture: PA. Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street ahead of the party leaders’ meeting.