Commons leadership admits 'institutional failure' to tackle bullying
The Commons Commission agrees to recommendations to stamp out bullying in parliament, committing to "swift and lasting change".
Wednesday 24 October 2018 22:02, UK
The House of Commons leadership has admitted it "failed to honour the responsibility" of providing a workplace free from bullying and harassment "too often".
They acknowledged an "institutional failure" to tackle the issue as the House of Commons Commission backed the recommendations in a damning report, which highlighted how the culture in parliament allowed bullying to thrive.
The recommendations in Dame Laura Cox's report include allowing historic claims to be investigated, which could see allegations of bullying against Speaker John Bercow being looked into.
He denies allegations he bullied former private secretaries Angus Sinclair and Kate Emms.
In May, an investigation into his conduct was rejected by MPs because probes into allegations dating back more than seven years can only be approved by the Standards Committee in exceptional circumstances.
But in a joint statement on Wednesday, members of the commission - including Mr Bercow - said: "Bullying and harassment have no place in the House of Commons, or in any area of public life.
"The persistence of this problem has rightly called into question the culture and leadership of the House of Commons.
"We acknowledge that we have a proactive role to play in improving the culture of the House Service, and therefore are resolved to ensure that Dame Laura Cox's report marks the moment where we commit to swift and lasting change."
Mr Bercow said accepting the recommendations was the "first step on the root and branch reform of the culture of this House".
Senior MPs, officials and independent external members, which make up the commission, said they "too often failed to honour the responsibility to provide a workplace free from bullying and harassment".
The commission said the Cox report "describes an institutional failure to address the problem which has undermined the legitimacy and authority of the House of Commons".
And added: "The scale of the problem and depth of hurt caused is beyond dispute."
The Commons leaders said they "deeply regret" that it had taken a long time to acknowledge a need for change.
They agreed to scrap existing complaints policies, to allow historic claims to be heard under the new Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, and to take away MPs roles in deciding cases involving fellow MPs.
Mr Bercow said: "I'm delighted that every member of the commission has decided to support fully the three main recommendations from Dame Laura Cox's report, which I believe are an important first step in our root and branch reform of the culture of this House."
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said the report "demonstrates how far we have to go to stamp out any form of bullying or harassment in Westminster".
A Labour spokesman said: "It is vital that the recommendations be implemented as quickly as possible."