Sexual Harassment in Parliament Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Matthew Offord

Main Page: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

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Speaker’s Statement

Sexual Harassment in Parliament

Matthew Offord Excerpts

Independent Review: Deaths in Police Custody
Monday 30th October 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The hon. Gentleman raises some really important and sensible ideas, and I will look carefully at them all. I urge anyone who has been made to feel uncomfortable or who feels that they have been improperly treated to come forward, and those issues will be taken up through the right channels. Until we have a proper independent grievance policy and a group of people able to take that up, the existing policies of the employee helpline, which can be expanded, and my offer that people can come to me personally will be appropriate ways to take things forward.

Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con)
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May I gently remind the House that this issue is not just about sexual harassment and it is not just about women? Bullying is systemic in the House. Earlier today, I received a text from someone describing a problem that he saw in this place. It said of a current Member:

“He is utterly foul and I am sure it’s a pattern of behaviour on his part, but in this instance I don’t think it would be fair on the woman in question”

to name him. My friend continues:

“Still, do your best to widen this to bullying and treating your staff like”—

I think he means dirt. I ask the Leader of the House to widen this issue to bullying, including historical allegations.

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