Proposals to grant anonymity to MPs accused of harassment or expenses fraud, outlined in a new behaviour code, will be seen as politicians trying to cover up their misdoings, the chair of the standards committee has said.



Labour’s Sir Kevin Barron said he agreed that confidentiality was important to ensure people came forward, but he said publishing the name of an MP under investigation would not cause “irreparable damage”.

As the Commons leader, Andrea Leadsom, outlined the new complaints and grievances scheme for MPs and peers, Barron brought an amendment that sought to ensure the names of individuals under investigation could be published. It was defeated by 79 votes to 22.

He said: “We perfectly agree the issue about sexual harassment and bullying and harassment needs confidentiality to make sure that people will come forward and will speak out so that actions can be taken.

“We have considered carefully the leader’s argument for making this change and we understand why she has put them forward, but we do not think that they outweigh the reputational damage that may arise if we go ahead with this proposal as it is stated. It will be presented as MPs trying to cover up their misdoings.”

Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons. Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex/Shutterstock

Barron also said there was a continued need for transparency and openness regarding MPs’ expenses. “If the house today votes for this element of the leader’s house motion, many people outside will criticise us for rolling back the openness that was agreed back in 2010 in view of the expenses scandal,” he said.

Leadsom told the Commons that under the new scheme, drawn up following a rash of bullying allegations, anyone visiting and working in parliament would be able to do so free from “unacceptable behaviour, bullying and harassment”.

She said: “Today gives us a new start. Westminster has been rocked by allegations of bullying and harassment since last November, but today we can demonstrate our determination to put our house in order and to ensure that in the future everyone will be treated with dignity and respect.”

The Labour MP Jess Phillips said that if the criminal courts could maintain complete anonymity for victims and complete transparency for those accused, she had faith that it could be done in parliament. “I do worry about how it looks in trying to pull back on transparency,” she said.

Phillips said she was “exhausted” by the stories she had heard since the abuse and harassment scandal broke in parliament last October. “I think I’m up to 50 complaints from a variety of people from different political parties about both members of parliament and others who work in and around politics as well.”

The Green party MP, Caroline Lucas, said: “I do share the sneaking suspicion … perhaps there were other forces at play here which are leading us to this direction.” She said she did not believe the amendment would have undermined the confidentiality around the victim.