DISGRACED Tory MP Rob Roberts has returned to the House of Commons chamber for the first time since his suspension for breaching sexual misconduct rules.

The MP for Delyn took a seat on the back row of the Government benches during a debate on the Health and Care Bill.

Reports had suggested Roberts was urged to stay away from Parliament following the conclusion of his suspension.

On May 27, MPs approved a motion to suspend the Tory from the Commons for six weeks after he made repeated unwanted advances to a member of staff. He also lost the Conservative whip.

Roberts made no mention of his recent suspension during his speech in the Commons this afternoon.

Labour MP Jess Phillips made several attempts to intervene, but the Tory refused her requests.

She later labelled him a "coward" on Twitter.

Ahead of the debate, shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire raised a point of order to question if "we have taken every possible step we can to manage any possible risk".

She told the chamber: "As you know I have some expertise in this area and unfortunately one of the best predictors of future risk is past behaviour.

"What risk assessment has been done of the return of this member to the estate? What experts have been consulted?

"If there is a risk management plan in place and what guidance has been provided to staff to measure and to reassure them?"

Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing said it was "not appropriate" for her to comment on individual cases.

She added: "If anybody does feel unsafe they should speak to their manager, contact the helpline or consider using some of the other sources of support that are available.

"Everybody that works here should feel safe. I sincerely hope that these messages will be taken seriously and of course most experienced Members of Parliament are always very happy when those who work for them, or in proximity with them, come to them for advice or guidance on matters about which they may be concerned.

"I appreciated the (Debbonaire) was making a very specific point and I have explained that the point that she raised specifically is not a matter for the chair, but it is a matter for the chair and indeed all of us to have responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of everybody who serves this place."

The way recall laws are drawn up means Mr Roberts cannot face the prospect of losing his seat.

The sanction was proposed by the panel set up in 2020 to deal with cases raised under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

But only the Recall of Parliament Act, passed in 2015, allows the prospect of a by-election for sanctions imposed on the recommendation of the Commons Committee on Standards.