After a week in which lawmakers and staff talked about their treatment in the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said a review of how parliament was functioning was now “urgently needed” following the devastating revelations. In a major restructuring of the way parliament works, Hoyle wants to consider ending the existing arrangements under which MEPs directly employ their staff. Instead, it wants to create a system with an external body that will employ staff. It would essentially provide an independent body to assist Members and staff with their concerns. Writing to the Observer, Hoyle said: “I think it’s time for us to review our work practices, and especially if it’s right for individual MPs to be the employers of their staff. Should someone else – or an external body – employ the staff, provided that the Member has the right to choose it? “In my opinion, it is time to look at radical action and review structures and procedures that could make a difference. Some serious complaints have been made and we need to address them urgently. It is imperative that we do the right thing for the staff and Members as well. “At the end of the day, I want to make sure everyone feels supportive and somewhere to turn – and make this home not just a safe and inclusive workplace, but a role model for other legislatures.” The proposals come after a sad few weeks for parliament’s reputation. Tory MP Neil Paris resigned on Saturday because he saw porn in the House of Commons. Last week, Labor MP Liam Byrne was found to have intimidated a former staff member and would be expelled from the Commonwealth for two days. Earlier this month, Tories lawmaker David Wurberton was ousted from parliament after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use. Meanwhile, another Tory MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, resigned after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Questions from the Prime Minister. About 43 complaints against MPs have been formally investigated in the last three years. Photo: House of Commons / PA Commons staff have been pushing for a major overhaul for some time. They have expressed concern that the Independent Complaints and Appeals System (ICGS), created following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation, remains a complex, slow, and often intimidating process. About 43 complaints against MPs have been investigated by the service in the last three years. It goes without saying that the number for this year is similar to last year’s number of 15 deputies. Hoyle is working to form a “speaker conference” – essentially a cross-party committee – to look at rapid reforms and support a review. One such conference was last convened in 2008 to look at the representation of women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities in the Commons. The committee will hear from experts before finalizing the reforms. It must be formally approved by the government and the Commons. Jenny Symmons, President of the GMB Branch for Member Staff, said: “The current grievance process has brought us forward as a workplace, even with its problems. But it has not changed the culture of intimidation and harassment that occurs in Members’ offices. It is time to address the issue above the river. Members are not in a position to manage the staff and be responsible for all their employment. “We need to create a new employment structure for parliament, where a comprehensive body hires staff. [where] there is an official HR department. and while MPs are still able to choose who to hire, they are no longer in a position of undiminished power in their staff. “
