Tory MP Peter Bone has been recommended for a six-week suspension from the Commons after being found to have committed bullying and sexual misconduct against a staff member.
Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel said the MP for Wellingborough “committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct” against a member of his staff in 2012 and 2013.
The suspension, if approved by MPs, could lead to the Conservative facing a recall petition that would pave the way for another possible by-election.
Below is my statement on the publication of the IEP report today. pic.twitter.com/nuShAGPlh7
— Peter Bone MP (@PeterBoneUK) October 16, 2023
Mr Bone said the allegations are “false and untrue” and “without foundation” as he vowed to continue representing his constituents.
Writing on social media, Mr Bone, who was appointed deputy leader of the House of Commons by Boris Johnson, said the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme investigation into him “was flawed, procedurally unfair and didn’t comply with its own rules and regulations”.
Five allegations by a Westminster staffer were made in October 2021, having had a complaint to then-prime minister Theresa May in 2017 unresolved, according to the IEP report.
