A 24/7 counselling helpline for workers in Parliament and employees of MPs is only treating the symptoms of endemic issues in Westminster such as bullying and sexual misconduct – and not the root cause, a union leader has said.
Figures obtained by the PA news agency show the number of calls made to a helpline for MPs’ staff and those who work in the Palace of Westminster has risen year on year.
Jenny Symmons, chairwoman of GMB’s branch for MPs’ staff, said that not all those who needed help were seeking it and that “much more intervention is needed to address the systemic issues with bullying and harassment, sexual misconduct, unhealthy work patterns, and other problems that have permeated our workplace for decades”.
Given the focus on inadequate and ineffective complaint mechanisms for those working in Australian parliamentary workplaces in the wake of Brittany Higgins’ claims, it’s instructive to consider the significant reforms that have recently been made in the United Kingdom. Read more at Monash Lens.
BBC News
Published
image captionRob Roberts has been suspended from the House of Commons for six weeks
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on Delyn MP Rob Roberts to resign after he was suspended from Parliament for sexual misconduct.
A former employee told BBC Wales he was repeatedly propositioned by the Tory MP and told to be less alluring .
The process for handling such complaints does not include the power to trigger a recall petition.
Sir Keir said Mr Roberts had abused his position and he believed voters wanted to see the back of him .
MPs on Thursday approved an independent panel s recommendation that Mr Roberts be suspended from Parliament for six weeks.