Top lawyer Gemma White QC has been appointed to lead a new inquiry into the working conditions of MPs’ staff after Dame Laura Cox’s report found a culture of bullying.
The senior barrister, who specialises in public law, will conduct the probe into the nature and extent of harassment of past and present employees and members themselves.
Her inquiry, expected to conclude next spring, will hear from those members of the parliamentary community not covered by the scope of Dame Laura’s investigation.
It will proceed in two stages, with the first considering issues relating to the treatment of staff and others working directly for MPs either in the House of Commons or in constituency offices now and in the past.
The second stage will consider issues relating to the treatment of MPs by each other and by parliamentary staff.
It will not investigate specific allegations against individuals or reopen past cases but it will look at what options are available for resolving current or historical allegations and the support available to those affected.
The findings will be published direct to the House of Commons.
Top lawyer to head up new inquiry into working conditions of MPs’ staff
