MPs accused of harassment or fiddling expenses WON’T be named under new rules approved by Commons
The new rules are intended to stamp out the epidemic of sexual harassment and abuse in Westminster
POLITICIANS who are accused of sleaze will be allowed to stay anonymous under new rules nodded through by the Commons today.
MPs investigated for sexual harassment, fiddling expenses or taking bungs from lobbyists won't be named by Parliament's authorities.
And an attempt to block the secrecy rules was defeated when dozens of MPs - including some who've previously been accused of wrongdoing - voted it down.
Parliament today approved a new grievance policy for dealing with MPs alleged of harassing and bullying staff.
The new rules toughen up the punishments for politicians who are found to have abused staff, volunteers or members of the public.
Sex pest MPs can now be forced to attend training sessions, suspended from the Commons or even kicked out altogether.
But tacked on to the new policy is a clause which allows suspected wrongdoers to remain anonymous during the investigation process.
Until now, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has published the names of MPs who are being probed, as well as a summary of the allegations against them. Today the list of investigations was removed from the commissioner's website.
Labour's Kevin Barron, chairman of the Parliament standards committee, tabled an amendment removing the anonymity clause from the new guidelines, which have been spearheaded by Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom.
He said during today's debate: "It will be presented as MPs trying to cover up their misdoings.
"It's also good news for anybody who wants to smear a Member of Parliament - they can simply tell the media that the member has broken a rule and is under investigation.
"Since the Parliamentary Commissioner will be effectively gagged she will not be able to confirm or deny this. The rumour will continue and no-one will have the authority to put the record straight."
Jess Phillips added: "I do worry about how it looks in trying to pull back on transparency."
But the amendment was defeated by 79 votes to 22.
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Those voting against the motion included at least two MPs who have been accused of sexual harassment before having their names cleared.
The Sun revealed last week that the secrecy clause had been inserted in a bid to please senior Tory backbenchers.
The new rules are intended to stop a repeat of the Pestminster scandal which rocked Parliament last year and saw the resignation of senior ministers Michael Fallon and Damian Green.
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