Time for Parliament to clean up its act after slew of allegations
THE announcement by Neil Parish at the weekend that he was resigning as Tiverton and Honiton MP was as humiliating as the episode which brought his political career crashing down was shameful.
His “moment of madness” viewing pornography in Parliament brings to an end lengthy service in the House of Commons representing a Devon seat with a majority that could well have kept him in office for many years to come.
The one-time MEP, elected to serve as MP for Honiton and Tiverton in 2010, secured an increasing share of the vote over subsequent polls, cementing his popularity among constituents and rose to chair the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, informed by personal experience given his background in farming. “I have 12 years in Parliament and probably got one of the best reputations ever – or did have,” he said during a frank interview at the weekend on BBC South West during which he explained the circumstances which led to his decision to resign.
Choking with emotion he recounted the details of the two incidents in Parliament when he was caught watching porn. He told the interviewer that he stumbled across it the first time while looking online at tractors, but then deliberately viewed it again while sitting waiting to vote on the side of the Commons chamber. His actions were, he admitted, “totally wrong”. “I think I must’ve taken complete leave of my senses and my sensibilities and my sense of decency, everything,” he said.
The candid nature of his public confession in the interview was the only redeeming feature of this unseemly episode.
After allegations first surfaced earlier last week and his name was eventually made public, Mr Parish initially said he would continue in office while investigations were ongoing. However, he finally faced up to the facts and rightly announced his resignation, recognising the “furore” and “damage” he was causing his family and his constituency.
He has paid the price for a grave error of judgement in a working place that should stand as a beacon for the highest of standards. And given descriptions of the behaviour of some other MPs, it would appear the House of Commons is anything but such a beacon. A total of 56 MPs are reportedly facing allegations of sexual misconduct that have been referred to the Independent Complaints
and Grievance Scheme.
Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng yesterday denied there is a culture of misogyny in Parliament and also ruled out closing Parliament’s many bars to tackle alleged sleaze, arguing: “I don’t think we should have an excessively puritanical, severe regime in that regard.”
He said there were a few “bad apples” – those who behave badly who should be held to account.
Indeed there are ‘bad apples’ in all organisations and walks of life, but of all institutions Parliament must set an example as a modern and decent place to work and govern – and promptly put its house in order.