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House of Commons chiefs ‘failing to stop sex pest MPs’
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor27 Aug 2010
Senior parliamentarians were today accused of blocking the introduction of a Commons anti-bullying policy to stop sexual harassment and other abusive behaviour by MPs.
The FDA union, which represents senior public servants, claimed there had been several allegations of sexual harassment against MPs, but said efforts to persuade parliamentary authorities to adopt a proper system for dealing with such incidents and other bullying had progressed at a “glacial pace”.
Jonathan Baume, general secretary of the FDA, said: “There has been a long-standing problem of a minority of MPs bullying and harassing staff. We have been pressing for several years for an effective anti-bullying policy.”
He said there had been a small number of cases of alleged sexual harassment, but that most complaints were about rudeness and intimidation. Staff had to suffer in silence, he claimed. “The culture is, you keep your mouth shut because you are dealing with MPs, you just have to live with it.”
The Standard revealed yesterday that some MPs had hurled foul-mouthed abuse at Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority workers who were dealing with their expenses. The workers were called “f***ing idiots” and “monkeys”. The new expenses system was called a “f***ing abortion”.
Such abuse should not be tolerated by the standards authority or in the Commons, Mr Baume stressed. “We have had a long-standing culture in the Commons that if MPs behave badly, they get away with it,” he said. “If MPs continue to behave in this way, they should be named.” Senior backbenchers have branded the standards authority “chaotic” and called for it to be axed or reformed. Many MPs have been left fuming after struggling to get expenses claims paid swiftly. Some have resorted to sleeping at the Commons following changes to the housing allowance.
The FDA has been working with other unions representing Commons workers to get the parliamentary authorities to agree a policy on MPs' misconduct towards staff, including possible disciplinary measures. It is hopeful that Speaker John Bercow will be more willing to order progress than his predecessor, Lord Martin, who was criticised for his role in the expenses scandal including the failure to swiftly push for greater transparency over claims.
The Commons Commission, chaired by the Speaker and made up of senior MPs, oversees the running of the Commons. There is already an anti-bullying policy for the behaviour of staff towards other staff. Commons authorities said they introduced a “procedure” this year for dealing with complaints against MPs. But the FDA wants a formal policy.
A spokeswoman for the authorities said: “The House will not tolerate bullying of staff. Members have been told that complaints will undergo a full investigation.”
Reader views (12)
Could the answer be castration?
- Alex, London, 30/08/2010 10:12
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Who elected them to power ? themselves or the people ?
- Richard Merrell, Wentworth Falls, NSW Australia, 30/08/2010 04:09
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If any member of parliament is reported to the police and then found guilty of any of these accusations they dhould be dealt with by the courts, then sacked as members of parliament and barred from all public office and i might ad put them on the sex offenders list ..
- dan henry, glasgow scotland, 29/08/2010 04:42
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Just fire them and elect someone else to their constituencys.
- stuart, chesterfield,derbyshire, 28/08/2010 19:50
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The power and authority (Oliver Cromwell)that installed Parliament described it as ... the temple of the Lord... in 1653 he threw them all out and closed the doors for behaving like these criminals do today... so they have defiled the Lords temple... let them be burned and damned to damned hell... Vengeance is ours... they will wish with they had never been born.
- moronamid, London England, 28/08/2010 18:11
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The sooner the number of thieving, devious, bloated, foul-mouthed, two-faced, mealy-mouthed, hypocritical parasite MPs is reduced from 645 to 100 the better.
WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?
They are elected to represent the interests of the people - not spout profanities and cram as much taxpayer's hard-earned cash into their bulging pockets as is possible.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, UKSSR, 28/08/2010 14:10
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MPs still don't understand the contempt the Country has for them, and until some are brought to Justice for their thieving and bullying they still won't. Bercow is a case of poacher turned gamekeeper whilst keeping up the poaching (check his expenses).
- Jim, London, 28/08/2010 01:43
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We know that the essential ingredients for most MP's is an over inflated ego, reinforced by ignorance, and, a lack of knowledge about life in the real world, so, why should we be surprised?
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 27/08/2010 16:17
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I find many of the MPs arrogant and terribly rude.
On top of all that, I have the impression that they think they have a great sense of humour.
I really hate this, "Ha - Ha - Ha!!!" culture. There is nothing to laugh about at the moment.
A bit of class and self respect would do wonders.
- Michaella, London UK, 27/08/2010 15:44
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Unfortunately we only got rid of half the scum from the Westminster cesspit in May. If Bercow was doing the job we are paying him to do he would sack all those who are abusive to the IPSA staff. Tax payers will never again sit back and allow them to continue thieving from the public purse so they had better get used to having to submit receipts for their dubioius expenses. Their behaviour and language are contemptible - but entirely predictable. They have proven themselves to be the scum of the earth.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 27/08/2010 15:38
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Name and shame those responsible
- Peter, London, 27/08/2010 14:53
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Yet another instance of MP's thinking they are above the law. What an arrogant shower they are. Bring bak the stocks!
- Bleeding Heart Liberal, London, 27/08/2010 13:09
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