An MP had the Conservative whip impeached after a complaints committee found he had violated Parliament’s sexual misconduct policy.
Rob Roberts made repeated and unwanted sexual advances to a former male staff member, an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) found, as it recommended he face a six-week suspension.
Following the publication of the panel report on Tuesday, the Conservative Party removed the whip from Mr Roberts, the MP for Delyn in North Wales.
Mr Roberts will now sit as an independent member, but the six-week suspension proposed by the group will only be imposed on him if accepted by MPs.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said: “The government is now considering the next steps and will update soon.
“There could be more from the House leader who has committed to bringing forward motions to implement the sanctions recommended by the independent group.”
Labor Party Chairman Anneliese Dodds said Mr Roberts should “resign with immediate effect”.
Sir Stephen Irwin, president of the IEP, said the fault demonstrated by Mr Roberts was “significant” and that the proposed six-week suspension was “appropriate and proportionate”.
The independent panel was tasked with reviewing the case following a complaint filed under the House of Commons independent complaints and grievance system by a former male staff member in June 2020 .
The individual alleged that during the brief period he worked for Mr Roberts, the Tory MP made repeated and unwanted sexual advances and used his position as an employer to put pressure on him to join.
The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner found that Mr. Roberts had acted in violation of Parliament’s policy on sexual misconduct.
But Mr Roberts appealed the commissioner’s decision and the case was then referred to the IEP.
Releasing the report on Tuesday, Sir Stephen said: “The fault demonstrated here was significant.”
He added: “Our …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-25 11:25:00
