Tory MP makes public apology in Commons for bullying staff
A Tory MP has been forced to make a humiliating public apology for bullying parliamentary committee staff as he struggled with IT issues.
Daniel Kawczynski made the statement for acting in a "threatening and intimidating manner" towards the complainants after he was unable to join a committee hearing due to technical problems.
A disciplinary report said the Shrewsbury and Atcham MP consumed a "significant amount of alcohol" on the day and phoned the manager of the committee staff while under the influence, behaviour that was "grossly unprofessional".
The incident occurred in April 2020, as Parliament was adapting to new remote working during the coronavirus lockdown.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Kawczynski said: "I did not swear nor raise my voice but my behaviour led to two complaints. I have reflected on my
behaviour, I accept it constituted bullying and as such was highly inexcusable.
"The circumstances were stressful for the staff who were assisting the committee and for me.
"I've apologised to them before and I apologise to them again and to the House unreservedly. I will never repeat such behaviour."
But before making the Commonsstatement,mrkawczynski told BBC Radio Shropshire he was only doing it because he had "no alternative" and would face further sanctions if he refused.
The Independent Expert Panel, which determines appeals and sanctions in bullying cases, ruled Mr Kawczynski should apologise in the House.
Chairman Sir Stephen Irwin said: "We accept that the circumstances which arose on April 27 2020 were difficult.
"But they were difficult for everyone. Whilst we fully grasp that the life of an MP can be highly pressurised, these responsibilities and stresses do not justify a loss of courtesy, an exaggerated sense of importance or entitlement, or bullying."
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone concluded that Mr Kawczynski had acted in an "intimidatory and threatening manner" towards the staff. He referred to one as a member of the "snowflake generation".