Ex-Tory MP in case of 'brazen and drunken' sexual misconduct and 'abuse of power'

Parliament's standards watchdog has found 'a serious case of sexual misconduct and abuse of power' in relation to former Newcastle-Under-Lyme Conservative MP Aaron Bell

An ex-Tory MP who unexpectedly stood down just weeks before the election could have been suspended for a "significant period" for "brazen and drunken" sexual misconduct, Parliament's standards watchdog has said.

Former Newcastle-Under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell stepped down as a candidate for re-election several weeks into the campaign, for “personal and family reasons”. It has now emerged he was under investigation over "a serious case of sexual misconduct involving an abuse of power".

In a report released on Tuesday, the watchdog concluded the former MP "abused his position of power" by touching a woman "on her left thigh, waist and bottom inappropriately and without her consent" while in one of Parliament's bars in December 2023. Had Mr Bell still been an MP, the panel said it would have considered suspending him from Parliament "for a significant period".

The report said: "The sub-panel concluded that this was ‘a serious case of sexual misconduct involving an abuse of power’ and that had Mr Bell still been a MP it would have considered a suspension for a ‘significant period’. If he had been eligible for a former Member’s pass it would have sought its indefinite removal. In the circumstances ‘this Report will stand as a published reprimand for the respondent’s misconduct’.

"It noted the considerable and enduring impact of the incident on the complainant, resulting from the ‘shock, humiliation and fear’ that the respondent’s conduct caused and the apprehension of the potential significant negative consequences on the complainant’s professional life from having reported it."

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