Parliament is choosing to prioritise party management over protecting staff

It is being reported that, to avoid getting into a fight with backbenchers on the matter, parliament is going to pull a vote expected on Monday, which would allow the risk-based exclusion of MPs from the House.

Prospect and other unions have been fighting for this measure for years but it is has been delayed repeatedly.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“Parliament had a choice…prioritise the women and men who serve parliament by reducing their risk of interacting with a suspected sexual offender, or focus on short term party and political management by submitting to the most regressive elements of a discredited Westminster culture. Regrettably parliament has chosen the latter.

“Unions unequivocally support the measures proposed this week to strengthen MP safety and reduce risk. It is lamentable that MPs cannot show the same support for the women and men without whom their jobs would be impossible.”