A Labour MP has issued an apology in the House of Commons following findings that he breached Parliament's bullying and harassment policy towards a female member of staff. According to BBC News, the Independent Expert Panel published a report requiring Tony Vaughan to apologise after a constituency staff member complained of overbearing and belittling conduct.
Vaughan, who has represented Folkestone and Hythe since 2024, accepted the findings in full on Thursday.
"As a result of these behaviours, my former colleague was upset and humiliated," he said. "My behaviour had a real and continuing impact on her and her family, and I am truly sorry for this."The Labour Party responded by stating it expects the highest standards of conduct from all members and elected representatives, and confirmed that robust processes exist to uphold those standards.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found that Vaughan had breached the bullying and harassment policy after investigating the complaint. According to reporting on the matter, the incidents occurred in February 2025 and were reported to Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme by the constituency staff member.
What specific conduct breached the policy?
The investigation identified several instances of inappropriate behaviour. Vaughan hugged the complainant without consent at an office event, took her personal mobile phone from her hand to join an online meeting without asking permission, and ended phone calls between them abruptly. Vaughan later explained that one of the abruptly ended calls was deliberate, as he had terminated it after entering a live church service.
Vaughan appealed the Commissioner's findings, but the Independent Expert Panel confirmed the majority of them. The sub-panel stressed that oppressive and bullying behaviour towards staff members is wholly unacceptable and characterised Vaughan's actions as breaches of basic boundaries and courtesy rather than management failures, describing them as an abuse of his power.
How did the complainant experience these actions?
The 36-page report took account of the impact on the complainant, who has a right to anonymity. She reported feeling stressed, exhausted and offended as a result of the conduct. The report noted that Vaughan acknowledged he was the complainant's employer and that their relationship involved a power imbalance for which he was responsible.
What has Vaughan done since the findings?
The report stated that Vaughan had expressed genuine and thoughtful remorse. Vaughan made the required unreserved apology in the Commons and said he had undertaken further training, including one-to-one training. The Independent Expert Panel considered the complainant's views on the appropriate sanction and the steps Vaughan had taken to prevent a recurrence when determining the outcome.
What did the panel recommend?
The Independent Expert Panel required Vaughan to make an unreserved apology to the complainant and the House by way of a personal statement in the House of Commons Chamber. The panel concluded that this approach achieves the appropriate balance and clear messaging required regarding the behaviour expected of MPs. The Labour Party confirmed it is right that Vaughan has apologised following this independent process.
