THE head of the UK Parliament’s complaints watchdog has said she “does not know” if the Palace of Westminster is a safe workplace for women.
Thea Walton joined the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) in March to build trust in the watchdog.
Founded in 2018, the ICGS processes official HR complaints and also assesses complaints made on the parliamentary estate against a number of codes including the palace’s sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment policy.
When asked whether Westminster was a place women can feel safe, Walton told The House magazine: “I don’t know is the honest answer. I wouldn’t say that nobody feels safe, but I have heard lots of things where women don’t from some of the engagement that I’ve done.
READ MORE: Levelling Up funding: Scottish Tory seats secure millions
“I think all the time that there is a section of people that are saying they don’t feel safe, then people have to listen and do something about it.”
A number of MPs have lost their party’s whip as a result of allegations of sexual harassment or assault.
The Labour Party suspended Bambos Charalambous after a complaint was made against him, while senior Tory MP Crispin Blunt was arrested on suspicion of rape and drug possession and was suspended by his party.
It’s far from the first time Westminster has faced criticism, with the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black (below) describing it as a “toxic workplace” when she announced she would be standing down as an MP at the next General Election.
“I think it’s one of the most unhealthy workplaces that you could ever be in,” she said.
Upon taking her role this year, Walton said she hoped to improve the timeliness of investigations, which had been “a priority” for her in the hope of improving the experience for everyone involved although acknowledged “there is clearly more to be done”.
The current average time for a case to be concluded is 184 working days with Walton speaking of a “lack of engagement” from both sides.
“Whether that be through genuine poor health or whether that be a deliberate thing from both sides is our biggest cause of delay.”
Upon his suspension from Labour, Charalambous said: “I am aware that there is an allegation that requires investigation by the Labour party. It is right and proper that process is allowed to take place. I will cooperate fully and play my full part. It is not appropriate to say anything further at this time.”
In a statement, Blunt said: “I remain ready to co-operate fully with the investigation that I am confident will end without charge.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here