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| Westminster progress on toxic culture ‘still too slow’ two years on | Westminster progress on toxic culture ‘still too slow’ two years on |
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| Hundreds of callers have contacted a Westminster hotline set up to help advise people who have experienced inappropriate behaviour in parliament in the aftermath of the “Pestminster scandal”. | Hundreds of callers have contacted a Westminster hotline set up to help advise people who have experienced inappropriate behaviour in parliament in the aftermath of the “Pestminster scandal”. |
| The specialist helpline was part of a series of changes MPs introduced after widespread claims of bullying, harassment, sexually inappropriate behaviour and abuse on the parliamentary estate. | The specialist helpline was part of a series of changes MPs introduced after widespread claims of bullying, harassment, sexually inappropriate behaviour and abuse on the parliamentary estate. |
| “Pestminster” was coined by the Sun in an article on the alleged sexual misconduct of various MPs that was published two weeks after the #metoo scandal broke in the US in October 2017. It lifted the lid on what was seen by many as a toxic culture within Westminster in which women and men who experienced or were experiencing inappropriate treatment had stayed silent for years. | “Pestminster” was coined by the Sun in an article on the alleged sexual misconduct of various MPs that was published two weeks after the #metoo scandal broke in the US in October 2017. It lifted the lid on what was seen by many as a toxic culture within Westminster in which women and men who experienced or were experiencing inappropriate treatment had stayed silent for years. |
| As well as the phone line, which has had 285 callers, the independent complaints and grievances scheme run by the Commons authorities provides a channel for people to complain about an individual, whether it is a colleague, staffer, MP or peer. | As well as the phone line, which has had 285 callers, the independent complaints and grievances scheme run by the Commons authorities provides a channel for people to complain about an individual, whether it is a colleague, staffer, MP or peer. |
| But on the second anniversary of #metoo, there are still concerns that there has not been a significant cultural shift in behaviour in parliament. | But on the second anniversary of #metoo, there are still concerns that there has not been a significant cultural shift in behaviour in parliament. |
| The Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “I don’t want to say nothing has changed because the former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom and those working with her had a real will to set up a system that would work. | The Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “I don’t want to say nothing has changed because the former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom and those working with her had a real will to set up a system that would work. |
| “But the culture hasn’t changed. It’s still very much the case, and I can cite conversations about this, where if you don’t like the person that is complaining then they are [presumed to be] lying. There’s still a culture of friends and patronage in parliament. You sort out the culture by genuinely having trust in a process.” | “But the culture hasn’t changed. It’s still very much the case, and I can cite conversations about this, where if you don’t like the person that is complaining then they are [presumed to be] lying. There’s still a culture of friends and patronage in parliament. You sort out the culture by genuinely having trust in a process.” |
| Phillips said the new complaints scheme, in which the accused receives anonymity throughout the entire process, was in its infancy and its effectiveness in helping to change behaviour in the long term had yet to be seen. | Phillips said the new complaints scheme, in which the accused receives anonymity throughout the entire process, was in its infancy and its effectiveness in helping to change behaviour in the long term had yet to be seen. |
| Tara Jane O’Reilly, 25, who founded the Women in Westminster network this year to support female members of staff, said “Things have been put in place like the helpline and there’s now a behaviour code but in terms of actual cultural change, I don’t think that has happened at all. | Tara Jane O’Reilly, 25, who founded the Women in Westminster network this year to support female members of staff, said “Things have been put in place like the helpline and there’s now a behaviour code but in terms of actual cultural change, I don’t think that has happened at all. |
| “There’s certainly not enough change for us to start celebrating yet. I don’t think people have necessarily stopped behaving inappropriately but they have become maybe smarter in what they do. I still hear from other female staffers of men being incredibly inappropriate in terms of what’s been said to them and also physically.” | “There’s certainly not enough change for us to start celebrating yet. I don’t think people have necessarily stopped behaving inappropriately but they have become maybe smarter in what they do. I still hear from other female staffers of men being incredibly inappropriate in terms of what’s been said to them and also physically.” |
| Allegations that emerged in 2017 led to the resignation as defence secretary of Michael Fallon, who it was reported that he attempted to kiss a journalist on the lips in 2003. He admitted his behaviour towards women had fallen short of standards expected by the Conservative party. | Allegations that emerged in 2017 led to the resignation as defence secretary of Michael Fallon, who it was reported that he attempted to kiss a journalist on the lips in 2003. He admitted his behaviour towards women had fallen short of standards expected by the Conservative party. |
| Theresa May’s first secretary of state Damian Green lost his job after it was found that he lied to colleagues about the presence of pornographic images on his House of Commons computer, which he maintains he did not download or view. Green also apologised to the journalist Kate Maltby for making her feel uncomfortable after she alleged he had behaved improperly towards her, though he said he did not recognise her account of events. | Theresa May’s first secretary of state Damian Green lost his job after it was found that he lied to colleagues about the presence of pornographic images on his House of Commons computer, which he maintains he did not download or view. Green also apologised to the journalist Kate Maltby for making her feel uncomfortable after she alleged he had behaved improperly towards her, though he said he did not recognise her account of events. |
| In the aftermath of those cases, dozens of anonymous accounts of people’s experiences – ranging from inappropriate comments to touching – were reported by the media, prompting Leadsom, then leader of the Commons, to take charge of the way parliament should protect its workers. | In the aftermath of those cases, dozens of anonymous accounts of people’s experiences – ranging from inappropriate comments to touching – were reported by the media, prompting Leadsom, then leader of the Commons, to take charge of the way parliament should protect its workers. |
| One of the problems highlighted was that MPs’ staff had never been covered by any form of human resources. This is is believed to have contributed to chronic under reporting of incidents as was the fact that many staffers arrive in Westminster in their early 20s straight from university and may not be familiar with normal employment structures. | One of the problems highlighted was that MPs’ staff had never been covered by any form of human resources. This is is believed to have contributed to chronic under reporting of incidents as was the fact that many staffers arrive in Westminster in their early 20s straight from university and may not be familiar with normal employment structures. |
| Leadsom said she was proud of the crossparty work that had been done to improve the lives of everyone who working in or visiting parliament. She also implemented a new behaviour code and training courses for MPs, although they are not mandatory. | Leadsom said she was proud of the crossparty work that had been done to improve the lives of everyone who working in or visiting parliament. She also implemented a new behaviour code and training courses for MPs, although they are not mandatory. |
| “The independent complaints procedure will transform behaviour in parliament, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As more cases come forward and those who have been badly treated get redress for their complaints, we will start to see real behaviour change.,” she told the Guardian. | “The independent complaints procedure will transform behaviour in parliament, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As more cases come forward and those who have been badly treated get redress for their complaints, we will start to see real behaviour change.,” she told the Guardian. |
| The highest number of investigations carried out since the scheme was set up was 14, between October and December 2018. Because of the anonymity afforded the processes, it is not known who the individuals involved were, whether they were found to have acted inappropriately or what sanctions, if any, were imposed. The figures for the next quarter are due out on Monday. | The highest number of investigations carried out since the scheme was set up was 14, between October and December 2018. Because of the anonymity afforded the processes, it is not known who the individuals involved were, whether they were found to have acted inappropriately or what sanctions, if any, were imposed. The figures for the next quarter are due out on Monday. |
| The leader of the of Commons, Jacob Rees Mogg, is understood to be keen to carry on with the work started by Leadsom. He met Phillips as soon as he was appointed to take her advice on which areas needed more work. | The leader of the of Commons, Jacob Rees Mogg, is understood to be keen to carry on with the work started by Leadsom. He met Phillips as soon as he was appointed to take her advice on which areas needed more work. |
| He said: “Everyone in parliament should feel safe in their working environment. The reforms steered through the house by my predecessor Andrea Leadsom offer complainants confidentiality and an assurance that their cases will be heard independently and expertly. We are making good progress, but there is more to be done.” | He said: “Everyone in parliament should feel safe in their working environment. The reforms steered through the house by my predecessor Andrea Leadsom offer complainants confidentiality and an assurance that their cases will be heard independently and expertly. We are making good progress, but there is more to be done.” |
| In July, the House of Commons voted to open the independent complaints procedure to cases that predate 2017 and to former employees. | |
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