Peter Bone is facing a suspension from the House of Commons for bullying and sexual misconduct.
The Wellingborough MP, who was a key Brexit campaigner, “committed many varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct” against a member of his staff in 2012 and 2013, according to a report by parliament’s Independent Expert Panel.
Five allegations by a Westminster staffer (who is widely reported to be male) were made in October 2021, having had a complaint to then-prime minister Theresa May in 2017 unresolved, according to the IEP report.
The complaints included four allegations of bullying, saying Mr Bone:
– “Verbally belittled, ridiculed, abused and humiliated” his employee
– “Repeatedly physically struck and threw things” at him, including hitting him with his hand or an object such as a pencil or a rolled-up document
– Imposed an “unwanted and humiliating ritual” on him by forcing him to sit with his hands in his lap when the MP was unhappy with his work
– Ostracised the complainant following an incident on a work trip to Madrid
Bone said the allegations are “false and untrue” and “without foundation” as he vowed to continue representing his constituents.
But people have been quick to bring to light his voting record on gay rights, which is an area he has consistently voted against.
On 9th July 2019, Bone voted not to permit same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
It followed a vote in 2013 to allow same sex couples to marry, which he opposed.
In 2012, he described proposals to allow gay marriage as “completely nuts”.
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