Labour MP forced to apologise for breaching bullying and harassment rules
A Labour MP has been forced to apologise after breaching Parliament’s bullying and harassment policy by hugging a woman without her consent and behaving towards her "in an overbearing and belittling manner”. Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, has been ordered to apologise to the floor of the House of Commons following a report by the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which handles Parliamentary misconduct complaints. It comes after a woman accused Mr Vaughan of having “behaved towards [her] in an overbearing and belittling manner” during her employment.
In one claim, she said the MP hugged her without her consent at an office event. Mr Vaughan also allegedly took her personal mobile phone from her hand to join an online meeting without asking permission. Read more: Former Labour MP facing multiple sexual harassment claims quits party Read more: Man, 41, admits harassment towards Labour MP Chris Webb Mr Vaughan rang her to find out where his next meeting was and abruptly hung up once she had confirmed the location, she said.
He then allegedly rang back five minutes later to complain she had given him the incorrect address. After she confirmed he was in fact at the correct address, the call again reportedly ended abruptly. Mr Vaughan failed to explain why these phone calls ended in this way, the IEP's report said. The sub-panel said the MP’s “oppressive and bullying behaviour towards [MPs’] staff members is wholly unacceptable”. It added that his actions amounted to breaches of “ basic boundaries and courtesy” rather than failures in management, and an abuse of his power.
The sub-panel ruled that the Labour MP must make an unreserved apology to the complainant and a personal statement in the House of Commons Chamber.
Left out here: One side gets the space
The article never says that the panel's report found Mr Vaughan had "expressed genuine and thoughtful remorse", or that he said he accepted the findings in full and had undertaken further training. It also omits that he appealed and that the panel confirmed the majority, not all, of the Commissioner's findings. A reader hears nothing of his response and may assume every allegation was upheld and that he contested the outcome.
How we know
- BBC News reported“The report also stated that Vaughan had "expressed genuine and thoughtful remorse".”Labour MP Tony Vaughan apologises over bullying and harassment (opens in a new tab)
- BBC News reported“Vaughan appealed the Commissioner's findings, though the Independent Expert Panel confirmed the majority of them, according to Parliament.”Labour MP Tony Vaughan apologises over bullying and harassment (opens in a new tab)