Prospect calls on new Prime Minister to tackle sexual harassment and workplace culture in Westminster 

The general secretaries of Prospect and FDA trade unions have written to the new Prime Minister, calling on Ms Truss to “restore confidence that Parliament, and Westminster politics more broadly, is a safe place to work”.

The unions represent workers in Parliament and across the civil service.

Noting the many reports of sexual assault and misconduct, bullying and harassment by MPs, Mike Clancy and Dave Penman urge the Prime Minister to “grasp the opportunity to make a break with the past and show the leadership necessary to change the culture in Parliament”.

The letter encourages Ms Truss to work with the Speaker of the House of Commons and other party leaders to introduce a formal mechanism to prevent MPs accused of serious sexual misconduct from attending Parliament.

The new Prime Minister is also urged to “commit to restoring ethics and standards in public life” by reconsidering her suggestion that she may not appoint an Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests to replace Lord Geidt, who resigned in June.

The letter can be read in full here: https://library.prospect.org.uk/download/2022/00769