Lords Conduct Committee recommend suspension of two Members for breaches of the Code of Conduct

The reports arise from two unrelated investigations, one into complaints against Baroness Meyer and the other into complaints against Lord Stone of Blackheath

Report on the conduct of Baroness Meyer

The Conduct Committee endorses the finding of the independent House of Lords Commissioner for Standards that Baroness Meyer breached the Code of Conduct in relation to harassment. The investigation followed complaints from Lord Dholakia and Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP who waived their right to anonymity

The complaints relate to Baroness Meyer’s behaviour during a visit by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (of which she was a member at the time).

In the case of one of the findings of harassment by Baroness Meyer, the Commissioner found the harassment had a racial element which was seen as an aggravating factor when determining the appropriate sanction.

The Committee upheld the Commissioner for Standards’ recommendation that Baroness Meyer be suspended from the House for three weeks, and that she undertake bespoke training.

The full report is online here

Report on the conduct of Lord Stone of Blackheath

The Conduct Committee endorsed the Commissioner for Standards’ finding that Lord Stone of Blackheath bullied two members of staff.

The complaints relate to Lord Stone’s behaviour towards two security staff, after he was told he could not leave a suitcase unattended at the subway entrance to the Parliamentary estate. The Commissioner’s report says the language used by Lord Stone was insulting and aggressive and constituted an ‘abuse or misuse’ of power.

The Committee noted that this is the third time Lord Stone has been found to have breached the House’s rules on bullying and harassment, and concluded that the clear pattern of poor behaviour by Lord Stone was “unacceptable”.

The Committee upheld the Commissioner for Standards’ recommendation that Lord Stone be suspended from the House for six months.

The full report is online here

Both reports will need to be agreed by the House before the proposed suspensions can come into force. It is expected the reports will be put to the House in early 2025.