Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme

House of Commons Commission written question – answered at on 29 July 2019.

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Photo of Justin Madders Justin Madders Labour, Ellesmere Port and Neston

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what range of sanctions against hon. Members are available for complaints upheld under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

Photo of Tom Brake Tom Brake Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (International Trade), Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Exiting the European Union)

A number of sanctions are available to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Committee on Standards, if a complaint is upheld against a Member of Parliament under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. The sanction will depend on the nature of the behaviour that has been found to have taken place and can include:

  • Letter of apology to the complainant
  • Appropriate training e.g. dignity in the workplace
  • A behaviour agreement
  • A referral by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to the Committee on Standards where a stronger sanction is warranted, up to and including a recommendation that a Member be suspended or expelled from the House.

Further possible sanctions, including withdrawal of services (e.g. catering or library services), or a ban on select committee membership or participation in overseas travel on parliamentary business, are being considered as part of the Committee on Standards’ current inquiry into sanctions. The Committee intends to put to the House a package of proposed reforms to the sanctions regime for approval during autumn 2019.

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