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<p>Bullying and harassment have no place in Parliament. The Independent Complaints
and Grievance Scheme was established in July 2018 and covers all members of the parliamentary
community, including MPs. There have been two independent reviews of the ICGS since
its establishment – the <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/conduct-in-parliament/icgs-six-month-review---final-report.pdf/icgs-six-month-review---final-report.pdf"
target="_blank">6-month review</a> and the <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/contentassets/e3ed0297d92a400bb249c887a30aa59b/icgs-18-month-review_final.pdf"
target="_blank">18-month review</a>. Alison Stanley carried out both reviews, the
more recent one concluding in February 2021. Alison Stanley noted in her report in
February that there has been much progress on the implementation of the scheme since
the 6-month review, but there are still improvements to be made, particularly around
the time taken for investigations to conclude. Her review contained 36 recommendations
which, when implemented together, will make a significant difference to those who
use the scheme.</p><p>The ICGS team has already made progress towards implementing
these recommendations in important areas such as speeding up investigations, streamlining
the ICGS process, smarter policies and processes, improved accessibility and stronger
communications.</p><p>All ICGS cases against MPs are investigated by members of a
pool of independent investigators contracted to work with the House Service, overseen
by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, who is herself independent and impartial.
The Commissioner reviews the investigator’s final report, the accompanying evidence
and the investigator’s recommendation. If the Commissioner finds that rules have been
breached, she can require an apology to the House or, if she feels the sanctions available
to her are not sufficient, can refer to the Independent Expert Panel.</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/"
target="_blank">The Independent Expert Panel</a> was established in June 2020; its
members were appointed on 25 November following fair and open competition. The Panel
is entirely independent, with no MPs taking part in its decisions or able to influence
them. It hears appeals and decides sanctions in ICGS cases where complaints of bullying,
harassment or sexual misconduct have been brought against MPs. Sanctions could include
the suspension or expulsion of an MP, which would then require a vote in the House.
To date, it has published four reports on the conduct of MPs.</p>
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