A peer and former managing director of Marks and Spencer has been suspended from the Labour Party over claims that he sexually harassed parliamentary staff.

The independent commissioner for standards upheld complaints by four women against Lord Stone of Blackheath, who was accused of sexist and transphobic remarks as well as unwanted touching.

Among several alleged incidents recorded by the commissioner, he repeatedly told a colleague that she was beautiful “to boost her self-esteem” and grabbed her arm when she recoiled.

He reportedly stroked another staff member’s arm and said to her that he hoped a document on the bill to outlaw upskirting came with photos.

The commissioner’s report said that Lord Stone also approached a stall where staff could sign up to an anti-transphobia