Bercow ally found guilty of bullying

JOHN Bercow faces fresh scrutiny after a senior House of Commons official was found guilty of bullying.

An independent investigation concluded that Kamal El-Hajji, the Serjeant at Arms, bullied a female deputy, the Mail understands.

Mr El-Hajji, who is paid £80,000 a year, has described Mr Bercow as a ‘mentor’ and dismissed accusations of bullying against the Commons Speaker as a ‘witch hunt’. Last June it emerged Mr El-Hajji was under investigation for ‘yelling’ at a female deputy in front of witnesses.

An investigation was ordered following a complaint from deputy director of security Fay Tennet, a former senior Metropolitan Police Officer. An external harassment investigator concluded that the Serjeant at Arms’ behaviour was in breach of the official code of conduct and amounted to bullying.

No decision has been made on what punishment, if any, Mr El-Hajji will face, and he could appeal against the decision. Moroccan-born Mr El-Hajji is the first non-white holder of the role.

Mr Bercow will now face huge pressure to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet. The controversial Speaker has been accused of bullying by two former senior staff, accusations he has repeatedly denied. A House of Commons spokesman said confidentiality is ‘at the heart of this process’ and he was unable to comment on cases.