Members of Parliament are to be asked to agree changes to
Commons rules next week which remove their ability to
determine the sanctions faced by MPs in cases of bullying,
harassment and sexual harassment.
A motion tabled for debate on Tuesday 23 June will
establish an Independent Expert Panel empowered to
determine the appropriate sanction in cases referred to it
under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme
(ICGS).
The changes bring about a fundamental break with the past
in which sanctions were determined through the Committee on
Standards, comprising Members of Parliament and lay
members.
Leader of the House of Commons said:
This is an historic moment for Parliament. It is
absolutely right that the process of handling complaints
against MPs has been taken away from a parliamentary
committee and handed to an entirely independent panel of
experts.
We have now acted on all three of Dame Laura Cox’s
recommendations but there remains more we can do - which
is why I will be keeping up the momentum for further
cultural change in Parliament.
I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that
everyone working in Westminster is treated courteously
and with respect.
The most severe sanctions imposed by the Independent Expert
Panel, including suspension and expulsion, will require the
formal authorisation of the House of Commons.
In response to concerns that the findings of the
Independent Expert Panel could be reopened or questioned by
MPs, the Leader of the House is seeking an additional
change to the Commons’ rules on proceedings.
This change would prevent the name of the complainant and
details of the investigation from being disclosed in the
debate. MPs would not be able to call into question the
determination of the panel’s sanctions.
Notes to editors
-
Under the motion tabled for debate on Tuesday 23 June
2020 the functions of the Panel are defined as:
(a) to determine the appropriate sanction in ICGS cases
referred to it by the Parliamentary Commissioner on
Standards
(b) to hear appeals against the decisions of the
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in respect of
ICGS cases involving Members of this House
(c) to hear appeals against a sanction imposed under
paragraph (a)
(d) to report from time to time, through the Clerk of
the House, on the operation of the ICGS as it relates
to Members of this House.
-
An additional motion applying rules on proceedings
relating to matters raised by the Independent Expert
Panel or its sub-panels will also be put to the House
on Tuesday 23 June: That, subject to the discretion of
the Chair, the House shall apply the following rules in
proceedings on matters raised by the Independent Expert
Panel or its sub-panels:
(a) The name of any complainant may not be referred to
in any motion, debate or question.
(b) Details of any investigation or specific matters
considered by a sub-panel of the Independent Expert
Panel shall not be referred to in any motion, debate or
question.
(c) The findings and determination of sanctions of a
sub-panel of the Independent Expert Panel may not be
called into question.
