Ex-Hartlepool MP claimed £6,000 for legal defence following sexual misconduct allegations

The Spectator has reported that Mike Hill, the former Labour MP for Hartlepool, who was forced to quit the Commons in March, has claimed £6,000 for “bought-in services” from Hudgell Solicitors.

The fee was reportedly used to fund Hill’s legal defence in his attempt to clear his name after he violated Parliament’s sexual misconduct policy. A tribunal ruled that Hill repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed a parliamentary staff member and then victimised her when she refused his advances.

The Labour parliamentary staffer who chairs the GMB MPs staff group in Westminster, Jenny Symmons, noted: “Who pays for MPs to be defended when they’re accused of bullying/harassment/sexual abuse? We do!”. This is in stark contrast to the victim of Hill’s sexual harassment who had to crowdfund her legal fees.