Is UK Parliament Unsafe For Women? Here’s What Watchdog Has To Say

The United Kingdom (UK) Parliament might be unsafe for women, according to the head of the the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), UK’s parliamentary watchdog. Thea Walton, head of parliament’s watchdog, said she “does not know” if the Palace of Westminster, also called the Houses of Parliament after the House of Commons and the House of Lords, is a safe workplace for UK women.

Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), a parliamentary watchdog that handles complaints about MPs, revealed that various MPs lost their party’s whip because of allegations of sexual harassment and assault.

Is The UK Parliament Unsafe For Women?

The Labour party, a political party in the United Kingdom, suspended Bambos Charalambous, a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate, after a complaint about his conduct. 

Crispin Jeremy Rupert Blunt, a Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of drugs. Later on, he was also suspended by the Tory party. 

Thea Walton, who joined ICGS in March 2023, said in an interview with The House’s Sophie Church, “I have heard lots of things where women don’t feel safe.”

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She further said, “I think all the time that there is a section of people that are saying they don’t feel safe, then people have to listen and do something about it.”

Geraint Davies, a British politician who is the Member of Parliament for Swansea West, was also suspended after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced from five women. He told Politico, “I don’t recognise the allegations suggested and do not know who has made them.”

Peter William Bone FCA, a British politician who is the Member of Parliament for Wellingborough, was also accused of committing “varied acts of bullying and one act of sexual misconduct.”

The Independent Expert Panel (IEP) accused him of bullying and sexual misconduct. Following an investigation by an independent investigator appointed by the ICGS, it was revealed that he committed acts of bullying and sexual misconduct.