The joint call by union representing parliamentary workers – Prospect, the FDA, the Public Service and Commercial Union and the GMB – follows Warburton’s allegations of sexual harassment and alleged cocaine use and possible loan failure. Somerton and Frome MP denied any wrongdoing and was taken to a psychiatric hospital. He has lost the whip of the Tories and is expected to face a series of investigations into the claims. In a statement, the unions said they had sent a letter to Karen Bradley, who is chairing the Communities ‘cross-party committee of inquiry into the Commons’ work practices. Bradley was asked to consider whether it is possible to introduce a rule that means anyone investigated for sexual harassment is kept away from parliamentary property during any investigation. The idea was also proposed in a report by the Committee on Women and Equality of the Communities to help create a more gender-sensitive parliament. Garry Graham, Prospect’s deputy secretary general, said such a move was long overdue: “We are again in a situation where an MP accused of a serious crime is technically free to go back and forth as he pleases. “This is a ridiculous omission that will leave people questioning parliament’s commitment to keeping its staff safe.” Bradley must act to “bring parliament into the 21st century as an employer,” Graham said. “In no other workplace would someone subject to such serious allegations receive a voluntary ban.” Allegations of misconduct, made by three women according to the Sunday Times, will be investigated by parliament’s independent complaints and grievances system, which does not comment on ongoing cases. Warburton could also be investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards on a 150 150,000 loan he took out in 2017 for a holiday rental property if it had not been properly registered. The loan, which has now been repaid, was provided by Roman Joukovski, a financial advisor who specializes in offshore tax advice and the provision of “gold” first-class investment visas. Eventually, Warburton could face a police investigation after media reports about the allegations included a photo of him with white powder lines, allegedly cocaine. The Sunday Times reported that two former Warburton aides had complained about him and that the fact that he was employing his wife, Harriet, whose role involved human resources, made it harder for them to take action. A cabinet minister has defended the work practice of MPs who employ relatives, which has been banned for new MPs since 2017, saying it was “really productive”. Simon Hart, the Welsh secretary who employs his wife, told Times Radio that he was an “ardent advocate” of the idea. “I think this is really offensive to so many spouses and partners who do a very good job in parliament, work hard and give taxpayers real value for money,” he said.
