Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy

Part of Royal Assent – in the House of Commons at 12:49 pm on 19 July 2018.

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Photo of Kate Green Kate Green Labour, Stretford and Urmston 12:49, 19 July 2018

I want to endorse what Caroline Lucas has said. I am a member of the Committee on Standards, and the right hon. Lady will be aware that I have added my name to the amendment. We already receive complaints about non-ICGP matters, and I do not think I have seen any evidence during my time on the Committee to suggest that complainants are deterred from bringing such matters to attention of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. I am concerned, however, that reports often appear in the media, even before the matter has been formally referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. Under the proposal by the Leader of the House, it would be impossible for anything to be on the record that would enable an innocent Member to rebut those allegations in the media. I urge her to consider the amendment, which, as I am sure my right hon. Friend Sir Kevin Barron will soon say, is supported by lay members of the Committee, as well by as non-lay members.