Early warning system to spot MPs' bad behaviour to be set up in wake of Westminster sexual harassment scandal

Exclusive: A source has told The Independent that the authorities want to ‘pick up the signs that things are not quite right’ in an MP’s office before problems deepen

A new early warning system to spot MPs who might be bullying or pestering staff is to be established in the wake of Westminster’s sexual harassment scandal.

The Independent has learned that under plans being considered, officials would monitor data on MPs’ offices and if any showed a high level of staff turnover or repeated complaints that reached no conclusion, an intervention would be made.

The move means MPs would be questioned about how they manage their staff and potentially given warnings or advice on how to change their approach before the situation deteriorates.

It comes as part of a general review into employment practices in parliament being undertaken in the wake of the scandal, which lifted a lid on what some called a culture of bullying and harassment in Westminster.

The furore forced the political parties and Commons authorities to come up with a plan to strengthen protections for MPs’ staff, who have previously not enjoyed the same kinds of protections as workers in the private sector.

A senior Commons source told The Independent: “Too often misbehaviour by MPs can fly under the radar. So we want to pick up the signs that things are not quite right.

“That could be if someone has a very high turnover of staff, or there are a series of complaints that are either low level or have not made it through to the end of the process. If those warning signs appear, there should automatically be a review of the situation.

“We would be proactive and intervene. The issues would be highlighted and MPs would be given the chance to change their approach.”

We would be proactive and intervene. The issues would be highlighted and MPs would be given the chance to change their approach

A senior Commons source

Over the last 12 months a string of allegations relating to the behaviour of MPs has led to the departure of two Cabinet ministers, and seen several Conservative and Labour MPs under investigation.

A cross-party group, chaired by leader of the house Andrea Leadsom, took evidence from experts for six weeks, before publishing its proposals.

When they came out, research undertaken by the Commons authorities accompanying them were leaked to The Independent, showing one in five people working in Westminster had experienced sexual harassment in the previous year.

The proposals said that in serious cases of bullying or harassment, an MP at fault could be suspended or forced to face a public vote on their future – at the moment MPs are not subject to any formal disciplinary procedures.

For less serious instances, MPs found to have bullied or harassed staff would have to write a letter of apology and undergo training.

The committee driving reform also wants MPs to be given mandatory training in appropriate behaviour in the workplace, which would start after the next general election.

“Consent training” and lessons in how to recruit staff and avoid “unconscious bias” will also be made available.