Two MPs’ standards watchdogs have been criticised for winding down their operations for a week to honour the remaining “period of national mourning” for Queen Elizabeth II.
Alleged victims who made complaints against their bosses in parliament were told over the weekend by the head of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) that all investigations would be “paused”.
The body was set up in the wake of the #MeToo scandal that rocked Westminster in 2018 and investigates those accused of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
Jo Willows, the director of the ICGS, said it had been decided to pause investigations, but did not provide a reason. She signposted those who needed support during the week to a helpline and to the office’s casework and inclusion officer.
“I shall let you know when investigations will resume,” Willows said.
The standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone, who investigates alleged breaches of the MPs’ code of conduct, wrote on her website that her office’s work had been “suspended to observe the period of national mourning”.
The Queen’s state funeral will be held next Monday, meaning there will be a delay of at least a week to some work conducted by the two watchdogs. Parliament could remain in recess for several days afterwards, given the large logistical task of returning the Palace of Westminster to its normal state.
Labour and Conservative MPs said they did not understand why the ICGS and standards commissioner could not continue working as normal over the mourning period. They claimed it would only prolong the wait for victims to get justice or MPs to clear their names.
Jenny Symmons, the chair of the GMB union’s branch for MPs’ staff, said: “We’ve expressed our disappointment to the director of the ICGS in pausing their investigations. Although not all functions of the ICGS will be out of operation during this time, it may still prolong a process that many staff already find to be excessively difficult and lengthy.
“MPs’ staff will continue to work during the mourning period and serving constituents, so we believe their bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct cases should be progressed by the ICGS in the same way.”
A Commons spokesperson confirmed that ICGS investigations had been paused until after the official period of mourning. Work was said to still be going on behind the scenes.
