It’s worrying that Matheson was free to visit Parliament as normal while he was being investigated for serious misconduct

Labour MP Chris Matheson is to be suspended from Parliament for four weeks for serious sexual misconduct following an investigation as part of Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

During the investigation however he was free to carry on working as normal in the House of Commons despite the serious nature of the allegations against him. Prospect has long argued that  MPs under investigation for serious offences should be excluded from the House, as happens in other workplaces.

Chris Matheson, who is MP for the City Chester, has now resigned as an MP.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect union, said:

“The Independent Expert Panel’s recommendation of a four week suspension of Chris Matheson for serious sexual misconduct demonstrates two things; the importance of the independent system for dealing with inappropriate behaviour by MPs and that sexual misconduct has serious and potentially career-ending consequences.

“It is worrying however that while he was being investigated he remained able to attend the Houses of Parliament. In no other workplace would someone being investigated for such serious offences be free to continue visiting it. MPs must get a grip on this issue – it is simply unacceptable that those working in Parliament continue to be put at risk in this way.”