GMB union calls for major overhaul of MP employment system

In light of this morning’s announcement that the Labour MP and former Cabinet Minister,  Liam Byrne, is to be suspended from the House of Commons for two sitting days, the GMB Union has called for a major overhaul of the entire MP employment system.

Mr Byrne has been found to have committed serious breaches of ‘Parliament’s Bullying and Harassment Policy.

The GMB Union, which represents Mr Byrne’s former staff member, David Barker, has described the experience of Mr Barker while working for Mr Byrne as ‘horrendous’ but sadly not uncommon.

In turm, the union has suggested that it is now time for responsibility for employment matters to be removed from individual MPs for good, so that parliamentary staff can receive the ‘safety and security at work they deserve’.

Reacting to the decision, Jenny Symmons, Chair of the GMB Branch for Members’ Staff, said: “We resoundingly condemn the despicable behaviour of Liam Byrne MP, who showed David a complete lack of respect or regard while in his employment”.

In a statement, Mr Byrne has accepted that he “did not resolve the dispute correctly with a proper disciplinary process”, and that he failed to fulfil his obligations as an employer.