Parliament's Independent Expert Panel upheld findings from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after a staff member raised complaints regarding Tony Vaughan's conduct. Investigators confirmed specific incidents, such as Vaughan hugging the worker without consent and taking her personal mobile phone from her hand without permission to enter an online meeting. While Vaughan appealed the initial findings, the panel confirmed most of them, though it observed that he displayed thoughtful remorse. The Labour Party reiterated its demand for high standards and endorsed the mandate for his public apology.
Key points
Tony Vaughan must issue an unreserved apology in the House of Commons following the panel…: Tony Vaughan must issue an unreserved apology in the House of Commons following the panel's final determination.
The complainant was left feeling offended, exhausted, stressed, and upset by the lawmaker…: The complainant was left feeling offended, exhausted, stressed, and upset by the lawmaker's overbearing and belittling treatment.
The Labour Party publicly backed the independent disciplinary process and confirmed that…: The Labour Party publicly backed the independent disciplinary process and confirmed that the lawmaker's mandated apology was entirely appropriate.
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MP told to apologise over bullying and harassment
- Published
A Labour MP has been asked to say sorry in the House of Commons following complaints over his behaviour towards a female member of staff.
The Independent Expert Panel has published a report, external requiring Tony Vaughan to apologise after he breached Parliament's bullying and harassment policy.
The MP for Folkestone and Hythe was found by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to have commited the breach after a constituency staff member complained he "behaved towards [her] in an overbearing and belittling manner".
Vaughan has been approached for comment.
The Labour Party said it "expects the highest standards of conduct from all our members and elected representatives.
"We have robust processes in place to ensure those high standards are upheld.
"It is right that Tony Vaughan has apologised following this independent process," a spokesperson added.
'Abuse of power'
Vaughan, who has represented his Kent constituency since 2024, was found to have hugged the complainant without consent at an office event.
He also took her personal mobile phone from her hand to…
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