The Speaker of the House of Commons is calling for a radical overhaul of Westminster work practices following a series of scandals involving sexual harassment and harassment that have shaken parliament.
After a week of MPs and officials commenting on attitudes towards municipalities, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there was now an “urgent need” for a review of how parliament works after the damaging revelations.
In what would be a major restructuring of parliament, Hoyle wants to consider ending the current arrangements, in which lawmakers hire staff directly. Instead, he wants to set up a system with an external body hiring staff. In practice, this will provide an independent body to help MPs and staff with concerns.
Writing in the Observer, Hoyle said: “I believe it is time to review our work practices, and in particular whether it is right for individual MEPs to be employers of their staff. Should someone else – or an external body – hire staff, as long as the MP has the right to elect them?
“In my opinion, it is time to consider radical action and reconsider structures and processes that could make a difference. Some serious allegations have been made and we need to address them urgently. It is imperative that we do the right thing by both the staff and the MPs.
At the end of the day, I want to make sure that everyone feels supported and where to turn – and to make this house not only a safe and inclusive place to work, but also a model for other legislatures. ”
The proposals come after a grim few weeks for parliament’s reputation. Tory MP Neil Parish resigned on Saturday over watching porn in the City Hall. Last week, it was found that Labor MP Liam Byrne had harassed a former employee and as a result he would be removed from the municipality in two days. Earlier this month, Tory MP David Warburton was removed from the parliamentary party on charges of sexual harassment and cocaine use. Meanwhile, another Tory MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, has resigned after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
Questions of the Prime Minister. About 43 complaints against lawmakers have been formally investigated in the past three years. Photo: House of Commons / PA
Commons officials have been pushing for a major overhaul for some time. They expressed concern that the Independent Complaints and Complaints Scheme (ICGS), set up following sexual harassment and harassment claims, remained a complex, slow and often frightening process. In the last three years, the service has dealt with about 43 complaints against lawmakers. It is assumed that the number for the current year is similar to last year’s 15 deputies.
Hoyle is working to form a “conference of speakers” – essentially an inter-party commission – to consider rapid reforms and support major repairs. Such a conference was last convened in 2008 to consider the representation of women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities in Municipalities. The Commission will hear expert evidence before finalizing reforms. It must be officially approved by the government and municipalities.
Jenny Simmons, chair of GMB’s branch of staff members, said: “The current grievance process has taken us a long way as a job, even with the problems it has. But this has not changed the culture of harassment and harassment that is taking place in MPs’ offices. It is time to look at the issue up the river. MEPs are not in a good position to manage staff and be responsible for all their employment.
“We need to introduce a new employment structure in parliament in which a single body employs staff; [where] has an official HR department; and while MPs can still choose who to hire, they are no longer in a position of undiminished power over their staff. “
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