Labour peer suspended from the Lords for a week over bullying of guard
Labour’s Lord Pendry is suspended from the House of Lords for a week for bullying a security guard who found one of the peer’s guests wandering unescorted around Parliament
- Lord Pendry brought two acquaintances into Parliament on visitor passes
- They have to be escorted in private areas, but one was found wandering alone
- After guard brought the guest back, ‘angry and upset’ peer confronted him
A Labour peer is facing a week’s suspension from the House of Lords after confronting a security guard who found one of his guests wandering around Parliament.
Lord Pendry brought two acquaintances into the Palace of Westminster in July 2021 on visitor passes which allow them into private parts of the building provided they are escorted everywhere.
But one of them was later found near the Lords chamber alone, looking for a toilet. After taking them to one, the guard returned the guest to a room where the peer and the other guest were waiting.
But afterwards the guard said that Lord Pendry accosted him in Parliament, grabbing his radio and demanding to see his name badge, because he was ‘angry and upset by the way his guest had been treated’.
Defending himself he told the House of Lords’ conduct committee that new anti-bullying rules were allowing staff to ‘flex their muscles’ against MPs and peers.
But in their report today, the committee said: ‘One of the duties of security officers is to challenge individuals who are not displaying a security pass.
Lord Pendry brought two acquaintances into the Palace of Westminster in July 2021 on visitor passes which allow them into private parts of the building provided they are escorted everywhere.
But afterwards the guard said that Lord Pendry (pictured with the late Baroness Trumpington) accosted him in Parliament, grabbing his radio and demanding to see his name badge, because he was ‘angry and upset by the way his guest had been treated’.
‘This can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable. But we stress that it is incumbent on all members of the parliamentary community to support security officers in their critical work of protecting all those on the parliamentary estate.’
‘We also urge members to keep in mind the power imbalance that exists between them and many other members of the parliamentary community, and to remain conscious of the impact of their behaviour.
‘In the event of disagreements with others in the parliamentary community, they should raise their concerns with the relevant managers and not seek to take matters into their own hands.’
The former junior minister, Tom Pendry, was found by an investigation to have been ‘verbally aggressive’ and exhibited ‘intimidating behaviour’.
Peers will be asked to approve the suspension from the House, recommended by the Lords’ Conduct Committee, in a vote when they return from a recess later this month.
The report conducted by barrister Akbar Khan, one of the Lords’ standards commissioners, concluded: ‘It is never acceptable to approach a member of staff in a threatening manner or to touch them without their consent.
‘Lord Pendry’s comments about staff ”flexing their muscles” against MPs and peers exhibit an attitude which is out of step with the expectation that all members of the parliamentary community are entitled to be treated professionally and respectfully in the workplace, and to seek a remedy when they are not, in accordance with the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.’
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