Politics

One in five House of Lords staffers have been bullied or harassed, damning report finds


ONE in five staffers at the House of Lords has been bullied or harassed, a damning report has found.

But most of those affected have not complained because they fear retaliation.

 A damning report found one in five House of Lords staffers have been bullied or harassed

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A damning report found one in five House of Lords staffers have been bullied or harassedCredit: Reuters

The findings by Naomi Ellenbogen QC lay bare how “toxic behaviours” flourish in the Lords — and come as a report into a culture of abuse in the Commons is published today.

In the House of Lords, 75 of the 375 workers who responded to the survey said they had experienced bullying or harassment by peers.

But the Ellenbogen report states: “They have tended not to complain in the belief that nothing will happen and/or for fear of reprisal.”

‘BAD-BEHAVIOUR ‘HOTSPOTS’

Ms Ellenbogen calls for CCTV to be installed in bad-behaviour “hotspots”, including the library.

One example of bad behaviour involved a Baroness who ripped a telephone out of the wall.

One staffer said he had been “subjected to having someone thumping their fists on my computer screen.”

Peers were even accused of groping staff in the division lobbies.

A worker said: “One member just started grabbing my backside and I had to tell him to stop it.”

‘MOOD CHANGES’

Ms Ellenbogen warns that dementia among peers has made the problem worse — with decision-making, confusion and mood changes among the symptoms.

She wants members to take regular medical examinations so doctors can decide if they can continue working.

She added: “My first and overarching recommendation is that things need to change.”

PM Theresa May said the reports were a reminder for the Speakers of both houses to clean up Parliament.

Her spokesman added: “There can’t be any place for bullying or abuse.”

Meanwhile, the Government has unveiled plans to force bosses to better protect staff.

Workers would be able to hold their employers to account over harassment by customers or clients if they fail to put measures in place.

Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and that includes time at work.”

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