Predatory behaviour in Parliament ‘dangerous as Savile having keys to Broadmoor’
Jo White called for disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks before members of the Commons and Lords take their seats.
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Your support makes all the difference.Parliament has a “terrible reputation” for “predatory behaviour” which is as dangerous as “Jimmy Savile having the keys to Broadmoor”, a Labour MP has warned.
Debating tackling violence against women and girls on Thursday, Jo White called for disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks before members of the Commons and Lords take their seats.
DBS criminal record checks are required for certain jobs or voluntary roles, including those that involve working with children.
Whilst there are now better reporting systems in place, there is always more that can be done to clean this place up
Commons Leader Lucy Powell had earlier said a balance needs to be struck to ensure politicians are able to represent their constituents “freely and openly”.
Ms White told the Commons: “This place has gained a terrible reputation over time, not just in recent years, for predatory behaviour by those who have manipulated and used the exalted power of our elected positions to groom, to inappropriately touch, to sexually assault and rape many women and young men who have worked here.
“We are all aware of the scandals and some of us will be conscious of the cover-ups.
“I very much liken it to the influence that Jimmy Savile was able to weald when he got the keys to Broadmoor (Hospital). It’s that dangerous.
“And whilst there are now better reporting systems in place, there is always more that can be done to clean this place up.”
An NHS and Government-backed investigation previously concluded the disgraced TV presenter Savile had sexually assaulted at least five individuals at the Berkshire hospital, based on the allegations it looked at.
I do say gently to (Ms White) that I think we do need to strike a balance here to ensure we can actually represent our constituents freely and openly as well
The MP for Bassetlaw also warned on Thursday that “our titles and positions open the door to public institutions – our hospitals, care homes, schools, children’s clubs and groups”.
She said: “This trust must start before we make that phone call asking for a visit or a meeting.”
A Commons early day motion calling for DBS checks for MPs and peers, which Ms White set up, has gathered 25 MPs’ signatures.
She had earlier asked whether Ms Powell would support her proposal.
Ms Powell replied: “I absolutely understand her motivation to make sure that the House of Commons, and indeed wider Parliament, is a safe place for people to work and that our constituents and others can feel safe in their interactions with us.
“Which is why we have developed over recent years more robust systems around that and we are looking further at these issues.
“But I do say gently to (Ms White) that I think we do need to strike a balance here to ensure we can actually represent our constituents freely and openly as well.”