LONDON — A former Labour MP facing multiple sexual harassment allegations has quit the party rather than face a hearing over his conduct.
Geraint Davies, who was a Labour MP for 22 years, stood down at last year’s general election after POLITICO reported he faced claims of sexual misconduct by five junior female colleagues.
Davies was due to face a disciplinary hearing over these allegations in November last year, but instead opted to resign his party membership, meaning no further action can be taken against him, internal records obtained by POLITICO and LBC show.
Yet as a former member of parliament, Davies is entitled to a parliamentary pass and access to the estate for life.
In 2023, five women alleged that Davies, a former Commons select committee chair, subjected them to unwanted sexual attention, both physical and verbal, after coming into contact with them through his work as an MP.
In these instances, the women had raised concerns about his behavior informally but had not complained in writing.
At least two women later filed official complaints with the Labour Party, resulting in an investigation lasting more than a year. Davies immediately had the whip suspended as a Labour MP, but retained his membership.
When the allegations against Davies were first reported by POLITICO, he said he did not “recognize” them, adding: “If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry.”
Davies did not respond to a request for comment on his resignation of party membership.
Labour’s complaints unit told alleged victims in an email that they understood the news would be “upsetting and unexpected,” and provided details for the party’s safeguarding team and mental health charity the Samaritans.
‘Riddled with loopholes’
Three women who say they were targeted by Davies told POLITICO and LBC the outcome was unacceptable.
One said: “There is no planet on which he should be allowed an ex-MP pass, as it is a privilege not a right. He’s done enough damage in his time in Westminster.”
Another said she felt “heartbroken” for the women who had gone through the whole process of reporting alleged sexual harassment only for him to “take the easy way out at the very end.”
She said that the patchwork of different complaints systems meant that “parliament remains an unsafe place for women.”
A third woman said: “The system to protect staff is still riddled with loopholes like this one. Parliament and political parties are yet to find a solution that keeps victims safe in their workplace.”
The case is likely to renew calls for a tougher response to misconduct by MPs.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell has argued in favor of handing allegations made to political parties over to Westminster’s independent complaints and grievance system (ICGS), which can proceed regardless of whether an MP leaves parliament or their party.
The ICGS can recommend the withdrawal of a former MP’s pass, as it did in the case of former Commons Speaker John Bercow.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “We take all complaints of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously and investigate in line with our procedures.”
They added there was “a wide range of support available” including an independent support service and the ICGS which “are flagged to complainants where appropriate.”
Ex-Labour MP quits party over sexual harassment claims
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