Unions welcome exclusion proposals

The Prospect and FDA civil service unions welcomed new plans to exclude MPs who are under investigation for violent or sexual offences from the parliamentary estate. The House of Commons commission proposals will allow for the “risk-based exclusion” of these MPs. Currently they are only prevented from attending Parliament by voluntary arrangements with party whips.

“These proposals are a welcome step towards making Parliament a safe place to work and they are the result of a long campaign by union members working at the heart of our democracy,” said Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy.

“For too long, Parliament’s reputation has been tarnished, and the confidence and trust of House staff undermined, by the stream of allegations of sexual misconduct,” said FDA national officer Jawad Raza. Not having a mechanism to prevent those arrested for serious sexual offences from attending the parliamentary estate is unacceptable and out of line with every other workplace, he added.