Westminster bullies ‘have thrived on deference’
A WESTMINSTER culture of “deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence” has allowed the bullying and harassment of staff in the House of Commons to thrive, an official report has found.
Dame Laura Cox QC, appointed by House authorities to investigate claims of abusive behaviour by MPs and staff, said there were “urgent and serious problems” in procedures for dealing with such issues.
In a damning report she said it was “difficult to envisage” how the reforms needed could be delivered under the current senior House administration.
Dame Laura called for the establishment of an “entirely independent process” for dealing with staff complaints against MPs in which MPs themselves play no part.
Her report painted a picture of a Commons where MPs enjoyed a “God-like status”, knowing they would never be subject to disciplinary action, and where abusive behaviour was actively covered up.
Complaints ranged from staff being shouted and sworn at and belittled on an “almost daily” basis to the “predatory” behaviour of some male MPs towards female staff.
They included frequent propositioning and “inappropriate touching” – including “trying to kiss them, grabbing their arms or bottoms or stroking their breasts or bottoms” – in an atmosphere fuelled by ready access to alcohol.
Dame Laura said while there was an “expectation of loyalty” among staff towards the institution they worked for, the standing of the House was being diminished by the failure of its senior leadership to deal with the issue.
Dame Laura, a former High Court judge, was appointed by the House of Commons Commission to conduct an inquiry after BBC2’s Newsnight highlighted a series of allegations of bullying and harassment by MPs, including claims that Speaker John Bercow bullied his former private secretary, which he denied.
A spokesman for the Commons said bullying and harassment had no place in the organisation and the well-being of staff “will always be our top priority”.