‘Pestminster’ claims to be heard in secret

Victims who go public with accusations of bullying and sexual harassment against MPS could face censure

BULLYING accusations against MPS will be heard secretly, the parliamentary standards watchdog has said, as they warn victims who speak out they could be in contempt of the House.

The all-party Commons select committee on standards has outlined how it intends to manage appeals raised under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), brought in after concerns over a “Pestminster” culture in Parliament.

They said that all hearings would be confidential but those who publicised their complaints could face censure.

A report by High Court judge Dame Laura Cox lifted the lid on a toxic environment in Westminster that included staff having their bottoms and breasts touched in an atmosphere fuelled by ready access to alcohol. Dame Laura’s report found a culture of “deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence” had allowed mistreatment of staff in the House of Commons to thrive.

Since 2010, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards had listed all MPS under inquiry on its website. Its rulings were also published.

But in July the rules were changed to make all complaints anonymous, meaning MPS who allegedly fiddled expenses were also given anonymity. The watchdog made clear there was a duty of confidentiality in such cases. A spokesman said: “The committee notes recent cases in which the fact of an investigation has been publicised … such action may be considered a contempt of the House and could be referred to the Committee of Privileges.”

MPS can be suspended or expelled if found in contempt of Parliament, though this is rare.

A number of alleged victims of bullying have waived anonymity to detail claims against MPS. Last year, dozens of current and ex-parliamentary staff joined MPS and journalists in waiving their anonymity to write an open letter saying they had witnessed bullying and harassment and demanding the implementation of Dame Laura’s proposals.

The committee has previously faced criticism for blocking an investigation into John Bercow, the Speaker of the House, for alleged bullying of Angus Sinclair and Kate Emms, two of his former private secretaries.

The standards watchdog said that in the future a subcommittee of three lay members and two MPS would hear appeals under ICGS rules. “Confidentiality to protect the vulnerable is at the heart of this new process,” a spokesman said. Appeals will be heard by the subcommittee. Apart from exceptional cases, neither complainant nor respondent would go before the subcommittee, to protect confidentiality.

A spokesman said: “The committee is aware people who have been bullied or harassed are more likely to come forward if they have confidence that the complaints system is fair.”

Kate Green, who chairs the committee, said: “I hope that this new appeals process will help to give those who have experienced bullying and harassment, and sexual harassment, the confidence to come forward.”