Labour MP accuses political parties of 'covering up' harassment reports as staff warn Westminster culture still 'predatory'

Charlotte Nichols spoke out following claims by six female staffers that parliament has a “predatory culture”.

A Labour MP has claimed parties “cover up” sexual harassment reports following staff warnings the culture in Westminster remains “predatory”.

Charlotte Nichols spoke out after six members of staff told BBC’s Newsnight that abuses of power by male MPs and senior staffers were rife, while criticising the new complaints process as too slow.

Ellie Varley, 25, explained everyone who works in Parliament either has their own story of sexual misconduct, or knows someone with one.

MPs and staff have warned of a "predatory culture" in Westminster.

A parliamentary aide to Tory MP Dehenna Davison, Ms Varley revealed she was asked to sit on a male MP’s lap and he was so persistent she felt she had no choice.

That MP is currently suspended, but Ms Varley said there was still a feeling among some MPs and senior staffers they could do what they wanted without repercussions.

She explained: "I [often think] ‘am I reading too much into this? Are you just being friendly or are you touching me because you think you can?’

"I've had it when people have texted me incessantly being like 'are you out tonight? What are you doing?' And not getting the hint if I don't reply after you've messaged six times.”

The six parliamentary staff said inappropriate touching and flirting was still a problem, with younger staff preyed upon by older MPs and staffers.

In 2018, Parliament set up the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), to investigate complaints about inappropriate behaviour, but Ms Nichols claimed it was too slow, and nothing had changed.

She told The Scotsman: “Five years on from the introduction of the ICGS, the culture in Westminster around sexual harassment and misconduct has hardly changed. The sanctions, when they do come, are too weak to act as either an effective deterrent, nor to justify the ordeal that victims have to go through to get to that point.

“The brave staff that have spoken up are sadly not alone in the experiences they report, and with a pitifully low charging rate for these sorts of offences if you go down the criminal route, and political parties all too often willing to cover up what's been reported to them, this can leave victims feeling like they have no place to go for redress.

“It's not good enough and it's incumbent on all of us with power in the institution to force the changes that need to happen, so that everyone – MPs, staff and visitors alike – can be safe in Westminster”.

Ms Nichols also backed comments made by Mhairi Black, with the SNP deputy Westminster leader announcing on Monday she would stand down at the next general election.

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP labelled Westminster a “toxic environment”, citing “what folk can get away with”.

Responding, Ms Nichols added: “Mhairi Black is right to say the place is utterly toxic, particularly in her reference to ‘what folks get away with’.”

A House of Commons spokesman said it took complaints "extremely seriously". The spokesman said bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct had no place in Parliament, adding: "We remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here."