Centenary Action, a coalition campaigning to improve women’s political participation, are warning against the news* that MPs are set to approve a change to the complaints system today which will mean staff in parliament cannot raise allegations of bullying and or harassment which date back more than a year.
Bullying and harassment is an issue which occurs on all sides of the political spectrum and particularly affects young women and men. In 2018, a House of Commons report revealed that 19 per cent of Westminster staff had experienced sexual harassment in a single year. 39 per cent of staff, MPs and peers had experienced bullying or harassment of some sort while on the estate.
We welcomed the implementation of the Independent Expert Panel for the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) to deal with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment complaints in Parliament. However, the proposed addition of a time limit to complaints of bullying and harassment under this process severely undermines the functionality of the complaints system, and risks undermining the ICGS, and handing power back to abusers. The 18 month review has not presented any compelling procedural reason for such a time limit. Both the commission and the review have acknowledged that there are long standing cases that have yet to come forward, but it is disappointing that they now feel it is appropriate to limit the victims in those cases from coming forward in the future.
That Parliament is not suggesting imposing a time limit on sexual harassment cases indicates that they recognise that for a number of reasons, it may take longer than the allotted 12 months for victims to be comfortable, or able, to come forward with their complaints. There is often a blurred line between what counts as sexual harassment, harassment or bullying and all victims deserve the same right to a fair and independent complaints process.
Helen Pankhurst, Convenor of Centenary Action and great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst:
“We believe that the imposition of a time-limit will prevent those who face bullying and harassment in Westminster from having the opportunity to have their complaints heard by a fair and independent complaints process.
It is deeply concerning that more than three years after allegations of sexual harassment and assaults in Parliament surfaced that showed there was a culture that allowed bullying and harassment to thrive, we are still not confident that it is a safe and equal place for women to work.
What we really want to see is Parliament taking steps to improve the culture of parliament, making it one that is inclusive and progressive, one that people from all backgrounds would want to work in. Limiting the complaints procedure is a step backwards, and sends a signal that Parliament is not serious about making those structural changes.”
Endnotes:
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You can read the full proposed amendment to the ICGS here: https://centenaryaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ICGS-amendment-document.pdf
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Centenary Action is a coalition of organisations and activists campaigning to remove the barriers to women’s representation and participation in politics. https://www.centenaryaction.org.uk/
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In June 2020, the government moved to establish an expert panel on sanctions for MPs to deal with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment complaints in Parliament. The proposal would have allowed MPs to have the ability to debate ICGS determinations as part of the new complaints process. Following a campaign led by Centenary Action, MPs instead voted in favour of Chris Bryant MP’s amendment to create an independent complaints panel which had the ability to investigate independently and impose sanctions including the suspension and exclusion of MPs in the most serious cases.
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69% of the women surveyed by the Equal Power project said abuse or harassment from the public or other parties was a barrier to pursuing a political career and seeking election.
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440 women who have signed up to take part in our Equal Power activity were surveyed. They are women who are already interested in politics and are often active in their communities or in campaigning (over half have done work on behalf of a political party or campaign or pressure group). In total, over 3,000 women have signed up to be part of the Equal Power programme.