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Parliament's 'bullying culture' now over, says new Speaker Parliament's 'bullying culture' now over, says new Speaker
(32 minutes later)
Lindsay Hoyle says he was never bullied by John Bercow but that Commons needs ‘culture change’Lindsay Hoyle says he was never bullied by John Bercow but that Commons needs ‘culture change’
A “bullying culture” in parliament is now over, the new Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has said in a veiled criticism of his predecessor John Bercow, who was in the post for almost a decade. A “bullying culture” in parliament is now over, the new Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has said in a veiled criticism of his predecessor, John Bercow, who was in the post for almost a decade.
Hoyle, who was elected in November 2019, said he was in contact with people who have made bullying allegations against Bercow, which the former Speaker vehemently denies.Hoyle, who was elected in November 2019, said he was in contact with people who have made bullying allegations against Bercow, which the former Speaker vehemently denies.
Bercow has faced allegations of poor behaviour towards the former Black Rod David Leakey, as well as the former clerk of the House Lord Lisvane. Both have submitted bullying complaints. Bercow has always denied any such allegations. Bercow has faced allegations of poor behaviour towards the former Black Rod David Leakey, as well as the former clerk of the house Lord Lisvane. Both have submitted bullying complaints. Bercow has always denied any such allegations.
Hoyle, the MP for Chorley, said he was never bullied personally by Bercow as he served as his deputy, but he knew of people who had accused him of doing so.Hoyle, the MP for Chorley, said he was never bullied personally by Bercow as he served as his deputy, but he knew of people who had accused him of doing so.
“The bullying culture is over. We are not going to tolerate it,” he told reporters at a gathering of the press gallery in Westminster on Thursday. “Let’s have a new beginning. Let’s have a new start.”“The bullying culture is over. We are not going to tolerate it,” he told reporters at a gathering of the press gallery in Westminster on Thursday. “Let’s have a new beginning. Let’s have a new start.”
Hoyle said he had never been intimidated by Bercow, and they had one slight disagreement, which had been witnessed by others: “Personally, I can honestly say I didn’t witness it but I do speak to people who may or may not have been subjected.Hoyle said he had never been intimidated by Bercow, and they had one slight disagreement, which had been witnessed by others: “Personally, I can honestly say I didn’t witness it but I do speak to people who may or may not have been subjected.
“So I do keep in contact with some members of staff of this house and I don’t want to go deeper than that because I don’t think it’s fair to them either.”“So I do keep in contact with some members of staff of this house and I don’t want to go deeper than that because I don’t think it’s fair to them either.”
He added: “This was an unhappy place to work. I think there has been bullying in parliament. I’ve never shied away from that.”He added: “This was an unhappy place to work. I think there has been bullying in parliament. I’ve never shied away from that.”
On whether the former Speaker should be given a place in the House of Lords, Hoyle said his name should be put forward but then scrutinised, and that he should face vetting.On whether the former Speaker should be given a place in the House of Lords, Hoyle said his name should be put forward but then scrutinised, and that he should face vetting.
More generally, Hoyle argued, the Commons needed “a culture change”. He said: “If the chamber is more calm, the way we speak to each other is better. I think that people reflect differently towards MPs.”More generally, Hoyle argued, the Commons needed “a culture change”. He said: “If the chamber is more calm, the way we speak to each other is better. I think that people reflect differently towards MPs.”
Hoyle also said he would permit MPs to breastfeed in the chamber, saying it was not right for a man to decide what a woman does with her body. Other changes he raised included introducing an on-site doctor and closing the road outside the building to further protect parliament’s employees.Hoyle also said he would permit MPs to breastfeed in the chamber, saying it was not right for a man to decide what a woman does with her body. Other changes he raised included introducing an on-site doctor and closing the road outside the building to further protect parliament’s employees.
Lisvane made a formal complaint about Bercow to the parliamentary commissioner for standards this month.Lisvane made a formal complaint about Bercow to the parliamentary commissioner for standards this month.
Leakey sent a dossier to the standards commissioner detailing his “bullying, intimidation and unacceptable behaviour”, which he first raised in 2017.Leakey sent a dossier to the standards commissioner detailing his “bullying, intimidation and unacceptable behaviour”, which he first raised in 2017.