Yahoo News MPs could be sent on anger management courses and banned from restaurants for bad behaviour
Badly behaved politicians could be banned from foreign trips, restaurants and sent on anger management courses - a leaked letter has suggested.
The letter, seen by the Sun, suggests the tough new rules could be introduced after criticisms over a lack of action for MPs abusing their position, or colleagues.
Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone laid out the proposals in the letter to committee chairman, Labour MP Kate Green.
They range “in terms of seriousness” from words of advice to training courses and ultimately expulsion from Parliament.
She said: “I have set out a draft list of what I consider to be useful and meaningful sanctions for Members who are found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for MPs.
“These include breaches of the Behaviour Code.”
“These sanctions are arranged in, approximately, ascending order of seriousness.”
Least serious would be “words of advice or warnings”, similar to those given to office workers who get in trouble.
Next on the list is the “requirement to attend training courses”, in areas such as “equality and diversity”, “dignity in the workplace”, “good employer” and “anger management”.
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The watchdog would check with the training provider that the errant MP attended the course, and follow up a year later to see if it had improved their behaviour.
MPs accused of mistreating staff could be told to write a “letter of apology to complainant”, although this would likely mean their bad behaviour is never made public.
Other punishments for MPs could include withdrawal of services” – such as stopping them going to Parliament restaurants, bars and cafes, or the library.
More serious offenders could be prevented from sitting on select committees, or travelling abroad on Parliamentary business.
The ultimate sanction would remain expulsion from the Commons.
At present politicians found to have committed minor breaches of expenses rules are allowed to get away with saying sorry – while those found guilty of serious misconduct can be kicked out of the Commons.
