An MP has accused a peer of abusing security staff on the parliamentary estate.

The SNP's Hannah Bardell (Livingston) raised a point of order in the House of Commons chamber to highlight the issue.

She told Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle: "Yesterday on re-entering the building for the first time after Christmas I witnessed one of the worst cases of abuse of security staff that I have seen in my time here.

"One of the members of the other place [Lords], who I will name so as not to incriminate anybody else, Lord Ken Maginnis, had forgotten his pass – something we've all been guilty of.

"However, instead of taking the advice of the security staff – who as we all know are here for our security and our safety – he proceeded to verbally abuse and shout at both the member of staff – calling them 'crooked', saying 'did they not know who he was, he'd been here 46 years' – and refusing to take the advice and assistance of both myself, the security staff and the police that then attended.

"I have reported this incident to the authorities but I seek your advice as the member is not elected, so I'm interested to know to whom he is accountable and what can be done to make sure no member of staff on the estate is ever treated in that way or abused in the manner which I and others witnessed yesterday."

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Hoyle replied: "No member of staff of either House should have to put up with abuse.

"I would say we have a policy that runs through all of this estate and I'd always encourage members to respect the people carrying out their duties to make sure we are safe.

"What I would also say is normally we would not name a member of either House in this way, but what I do take very seriously is that staff carrying out their duties should not have to put up with abuse.

"We are aware of the situation. I'd expect those in another place [the Lords] to look into that and I want to reassure those staff that it will not be tolerated and we will ensure that message goes across to all members of both Houses."

A House of Lords spokesman said: "We can't comment on the specifics of this particular incident.

"Parliament has a clear behaviour code which defines what is and isn't an acceptable way to behave.

"All members of staff have the right to work in an environment free from abuse or bullying.

"Unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with seriously, independently and with effective sanctions."