Speaker calls for "radical" reform in Commons after Devon MP admitted watching porn
Neil Parish, who represents Tiverton and Honiton, has announced he will resign
Last updated 1st May 2022
The Speaker of the House of Commons has said "radical" change is needed to its working practices following claims of bullying and sexual misconduct against MPs and a Devon MP's admission he watched porn.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has suggested that to address a series of 'serious allegations', staff should no longer be employed by the parliamentarians they work for.
He was considering moving to an outside body employing aides as Parliament’s reputation was feared to have hit a new low.
It comes after Neil Parish, who represents Tiverton and Honiton admitted to twice watching pornography in the Commons and announced his resignation.
"It is time to consider radical action"
Writing in the Observer, Sir Lindsay said: “I believe it is time we reviewed our working practices, and particularly whether it is right that individual MPs are the employers of their staff. Should someone else – or an outside body – employ the staff, as long as the MP has the right to choose them?
“In my opinion, it is time to consider radical action, and review structures and processes that could make a difference. Some serious allegations have been made, and we must address them as a matter of urgency. It is imperative we do the right thing by staff and MPs as well.
"At the end of the day, I want to make sure that everyone feels they have support and somewhere to turn – and to make this house not only a safe and inclusive place to work, but a model for other legislatures".
Commons dogged by serious of damning developments
Three Cabinet ministers are among 56 MPs reportedly facing allegations of sexual misconduct that have been referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
Senior Labour MP Liam Byrne is set to be suspended from the Commons for two days for bullying a member of staff.
David Warburton had the Conservative whip withdrawn after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use emerged.
Former Tory Imran Ahmad Khan was resigning after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
The allegations have triggered women working in Westminster to share accounts of their treatment, with Cabinet ministers describing men acting like "animals".
Senior Conservative Caroline Nokes, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, has accused the Tories of "institutional sexism".
But speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng denied there is a culture of misogyny at the centre of British democracy.
"There are some bad apples"
He said: "I don’t think there is a culture of misogyny; I think the problem we have is people are working in a really intense environment, there are long hours and I think generally most people know their limits".
He told the BBC’s Sunday Morning show that Parliament is a safe place for women to work, adding: "I think we’ve got to distinguish between some bad apples, people who behave badly, and the general environment.
"There are some bad apples, there are people who have acted very badly, and they should be held to account".