MP in call for training on sexual harassment
AN MP has called for Westminster staff to be trained so they can differentiate between sexual harassment and ‘good-humoured high jinks.’
Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has asked the government to consider providing ‘assertiveness training’ for staff as abuse allegations continue to dominate Westminster.
Speaking during a debate on sexual harassment in Parliament Ms McInnes asked the Commons leader Andrea Leadsom if she would ‘consider providing assertiveness training for staff, so that they may be better equipped to decide for themselves what constitutes good-humoured high jinks and what constitutes sexual harassment?.’
Mrs Leadsom replied: “That is a very good suggestion, and I would certainly support it.
“Such courses are often made available, and individual Members can choose to send staff on them.
“I myself have sent staff for assertiveness training.
“Another Member raised the issue of training for Members of Parliament in how to treat their staff, and I think that that has equal merit. All these suggestions should be up for discussion.”
The debate came as Parliamentary authorities are drawing up plans to allow victims of sexual harassment to report incidents ‘without fear.’
In the latest of a slew of allegations about MPs’ conduct, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has today apologised for putting his hand on a female journalist’s knee.
The incident involved radio host Julia HartleyBrewer, who says she does not regard it as “anything but mildly amusing”.
Yesterday the Daily Telegraph reported that an unnamed Minister’s ‘inappropriate’ actions forced two female staff members to move to other jobs.
A Cabinet Office investigation is also under way into alleged misconduct by international trade minister Mark Garnier, who is reported to have asked his Commons secretary to buy sex toys and called her ‘sugar t*ts.’
Andrea Leadsom had earlier told MPs that ministers would be sacked for inappropriate behaviour, saying: “If people are made to feel uncomfortable, that is not correct.
“In terms of the consequences for the perpetrators, I think I’ve also been perfectly clear that in the case of staff they could forfeit their jobs, in the case of Members of Parliament they could have the whip withdrawn and they could be fired from ministerial office.”
In a statement to MPs, Commons speaker John Bercow has also called for change in Parliament amid what he described as “disturbing” allegations about a “culture of sexual harassment”.