SNP MP Patricia Gibson cleared of sexual misconduct after 'flawed' investigation
The claim related to an incident at a Parliament bar
Last updated 23rd Jun 2022
SNP MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Patricia Gibson has been cleared of sexually harassing a member of staff in a Parliament bar.
The ruling comes after the party's Westminster spokesperson for housing and communities appealed against a ruling by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
It had previously found that her behaviour in the Strangers Bar had amounted to sexual misconduct.
But an independent appeals panel has now concluded that the investigation into the allegations was "materially flawed".
However, it did not find that the complaint had been vexatious or made in bad faith.
In a statement responding to the decision, Ms Gibson said: "I am grateful to the Independent Expert Panel for its work and comprehensive assessment of this case.
"I am reassured that the Independent Expert Panel has exonerated me, and has found that I am not guilty and that the investigation into this case was materially flawed.
"I have always maintained my innocence. It has been a very difficult 16 months during which my reputation has been wrongly and repeatedly traduced in the press and on social media, which has also jeopardised my personal safety with threats, abuse and harassment.
"I have found this period extremely traumatic but I am pleased that my reputation has been restored and now wish to draw a line under this matter and look to the future."
Review of complaint handling
It comes in the same week the SNP promised an external review into the support available to staff - after an employee claimed he had endured a "living hell" after making a complaint about the behaviour of MP Patrick Grady.
The Glasgow North MP was found by an independent investigation to have behaved inappropriately towards the male party worker at a function and was suspended from Parliament for two days.
But the handling of the complaint has drawn criticism, with the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford issuing an apology on Tuesday evening.