A former parliamentary staff member has spoken out about the “physical, emotional and psychological abuse” they endured while working for MP Peter Bone. The investigation found that Bone had been bullying and sexually inappropriate around the individual. The former staff member told the BBC that the experience led to them being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Assistant spoke anonymously, detailing how “horrid, brutal, dark” the experience was, saying it left them “a broken shell of the young man I once was”. The MP’s former assistant allegedly suffered from “relentless shouting, screaming and hitting”. The allegations included verbally belittling them, physically striking them and throwing things at them.
In September 2017, the individual made a complaint to the Conservative Party but did not see much progress. He was continually dismissed and it was over three years until the former staff member heard from the party again. The delay also led to him submitting a complaint to Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme in 2018. The Conservative Party did not respond to the allegations in a statement released following the publication of the watchdog’s findings.
The watchdog found that Bone broke sexual misconduct rules and upheld five allegations of bullying. As a result, the Conservative Party withdrew the whip, meaning that Bone is now an independent MP. The suspension is expected to be voted on by MPs, triggering a recall petition, and could potentially lead to a by-election in Bone’s constituency of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire if 10% of voters sign a petition.
This case has highlighted the Conservative Party’s complaint and disciplinary system and whether it should continue to fall under the party’s purview. There have been many calls for political parties to have more independent oversight, leading to an external, third-party-operated grievance system
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