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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Ashley Cowburn

Workers in Parliament speak out over 'predatory' culture that persists in Westminster

Parliamentary workers have spoken out over a "predatory" culture that persists in Westminster as one alleged a male MP pressured her to sit on his lap.

Unions representing Parliament's staff called for a "step change in the culture of behaviour" on the estate in response to the new claims.

It follows a string of sexual misconduct and bullying scandals to hit the House of Commons in recent years, with several MPs facing allegations currently suspended.

25-year-old Ellie Varley, who currently works as the aide to Tory MP Dehenna Davison, told BBC Newsnight that one male MP "kept saying just come sit on my lap".

Ms Varley, who took the rare step of speaking publicly, said: "I was like, 'I'm fine, thank you. I don't want to sit on your lap'. I'm quite happy standing."

Parliamentary aide Ellie Varley spoke to BBC Newsnight (BBC Newsnight)

She said the politician was "persistent" and reluctantly agreed in order to "get him off my case", adding: "You just brush it off - it just becomes part of what comes with the job".

The broadcaster said the male MP had been suspended over separate allegations.

Ms Varley also said the issue of misconduct also "transcends party politics".

Before the programme was aired, the Tory MP for Bishop Auckland Ms Davison said she was "incredibly proud" of Ms Varley, adding: "The culture in Westminster has to change".

The 25-year-old was among six parliamentary staff, including one that has recently left their role, who told BBC Newsnight that inappropriate touching and flirting is still a problem.

In the wake of the global Me Too movement in 2017 Parliament set up the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) to investigate complaints.

But one anonymous Commons official who spoke to the broadcaster said the scheme had made no difference to what they described as a "predatory culture".

They added: "I wouldn't recommend it [House of Commons] as a safe place for any young men or women."

"If a young person I knew really really wanted to work in the House of Commons, it would come with a whole list of warnings about how to stay safe, who not to hang out with, where not to go".

Mike Clancy, the General Secretary of Prospect Union, which represents workers in Parliament, said: "Once again we see multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour by elected representatives in what is supposed to be a workplace."

He added the ICGS is "a far better system than we had previously", but he added: "It can only work if there is a step change in the culture of behaviour at Westminster".

A House of Commons spokesman said "there is much work to be done" to improve things.

They said in a statement: "Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct have absolutely no place in Parliament, and we take any complaint of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously. We remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here."

They said the ICGS has "enabled, and will continue to enable, Parliament to identify and deal effectively with unacceptable behaviour" and urged people who need it to use it.

"For many, the ICGS has provided confidential and sensitive support and allowed for the delivery of robust, independent investigation of complaints, which had not been possible prior to its establishment," they added.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman also said: "Parliament has a long way to go and a lot of work to do to ensure we're not seeing these incidents take place".

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