MP apologises over bullying and harassment

A Labour MP has said sorry in the House of Commons following complaints over his behaviour towards a female member of staff.

It comes as the Independent Expert Panel published a report requiring Tony Vaughan to apologise for breaching Parliament's bullying and harassment policy.

The MP for Folkestone and Hythe was found by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to have committed the breach after a constituency staff member complained he "behaved towards [her] in an overbearing and belittling manner".

Vaughan said on Thursday he accepted the findings in full.

"As a result of these behaviours, my former colleague was upset and humiliated," he said.

"My behaviour had a real and continuing impact on her and her family, and I am truly sorry for this."

The Labour Party said it "expects the highest standards of conduct from all our members and elected representatives.

"We have robust processes in place to ensure those high standards are upheld.

"It is right that Tony Vaughan has apologised following this independent process," a spokesperson added.

Vaughan, who has represented his Kent constituency since 2024, was found to have hugged the complainant without consent at an office event.

He also took her personal mobile phone from her hand to join an online meeting without asking permission and failed to explain why phone calls between them had ended abruptly.

Vaughan appealed the Commissioner's findings, though the Independent Expert Panel confirmed the majority of them, according to Parliament.

The sub-panel stressed that "oppressive and bullying behaviour towards [MPs'] staff members is wholly unacceptable".

It added that Vaughan's actions were breaches of "basic boundaries and courtesy" - rather than failures in management - and an "abuse of his power".

The politician told MPs on Thursday that he was not "sufficiently alert" to the power imbalances between him and his employee.

He added he recognised his behaviour could well impact on "someone who is vulnerable whether or not that is known".

"I made mistakes," Vaughan continued.

The 36-page report said it took account of the impact of what happened on the complainant, who has a right to anonymity.

She said she was left feeling stressed, exhausted and offended, it adds.

The report also stated that Vaughan had "expressed genuine and thoughtful remorse".

He should be required to make an "unreserved apology" to the complainant and the House by way of a personal statement in the House of Commons Chamber, it continued.

"We consider that this achieves the appropriate balance and clear messaging required regarding the behaviour expected of MPs," the report said.

Vaughan added he had undertaken further training as a result of the incident.

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