Labour MP warned of 30 MPs to avoid as she blasts own party's handling of sexual misconduct allegations
A Labour MP says she was warned about 30 Members of Parliament to avoid when she was first elected
PA
A Labour MP says she was warned about 30 Members of Parliament to avoid when she was first elected as she accuses her party of "choosing not to act" on allegations of sexual misconduct.
Charlotte Nichols said Labour's hierarchy knew about allegations against current MPs, but "can't even keep our own house in order".
The MP for Warrington North spoke out about the "underlying absolutely rotten culture at Westminster" after her colleague Geraint Davies was suspended on Thursday.
His suspension comes after accusations he had subjected five younger female colleagues to unwanted physical and verbal sexual attention.
Labour's Geraint Davies has been suspended following accusations he had subjected five younger female colleagues to unwanted physical and verbal sexual attention
PA'When I first came into Parliament, literally within my first week, there was a list of names – about 30 MPs on it, people that I was told to do everything I could to make sure I wasn't alone with, to never accept a drink from, to not get in a lift with," Nichols told BBC Radio 4.
"[It was] people [whose] bad behaviour is so widely known and so little action is being taken about this, that really it's left to individuals to try to keep themselves safe as far as possible by staying out of the orbit of these people.
"That's five per cent of MPs, near enough. There is something deeply rotten in the culture at Westminster."
Nichols also took aim at Labour's handling of allegations, and claims the party had "chosen not to act" in one case.
"As someone who wants us to be better... when we can't even keep our own house in order, it's deeply upsetting both on a personal and a professional level," she said.
She added that the party had to be "shamed" into suspending Swansea West MP Geraint Davies amid "incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour".
"It was damage limitation from the party's point of view," Nichols said.
"They have known about this sort of behaviour – not just from him, but from others as well – for a very long time, and they have chosen not to act."
Davies, who denies the claims brought against him, allegedly touched two female MPs inappropriately.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party treats complaints of sexual harassment and abuse with the utmost seriousness and takes action in response to every complaint.
“We would strongly urge anyone with a complaint to come forward so that allegations can be swiftly and fully investigated and action taken.
"The party has ensured that there is a wide range of support available to complainants, to provide confidence and confidential guidance throughout the disciplinary process.
“In all instances where we are made aware of concerns of this kind, we encourage complaints to be submitted through Labour’s independent complaints process, Parliament’s Independent Complaints Grievance Scheme or, if appropriate, the police.”