British Broadcasting CorporationFormer Conservative MP Aaron Bell has been reprimanded by the parliamentary standards watchdog for “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct.
In December 2023, Bell was found to have “inappropriately touched a woman on her left thigh, waist and buttocks without consent” at a parliamentary bar.
Independent Expert Panel (IEP) draw conclusions If Bell remains an MP, it will consider suspending him from parliament “for a substantial period of time”.
bell announced his decision He resigned as MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme earlier this year due to personal and family reasons.
Responding to the report, he said he was “disappointed with the outcome” but would not appeal the findings.
“I deeply apologize for any distress caused to the complainant and wish to make it clear that I did not intend to cause any distress.
“This investigation is one of the reasons why I have chosen not to seek re-election at the general election – I have let down the loyal members of my association and thank them for the support they have given me as an MP. I also wish to apologize to the people of Newcastle upon Lyme for It is an honor to serve them.
“This is a difficult time for my family and I ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The complaint against the councilor was lodged in February 2024 and subsequently upheld.
The IEP concluded that Bell “abused his power over the complainant”.
The group added: “Not only is he much older, he is also a member of Congress and therefore plays a particularly important role.
“In addition, he is an Assistant Government Whip, which is not only a role… that carries considerable authority but also… involves upholding the highest standards of conduct.
“This does not diminish the seriousness of the behavior that occurred in the pub.
“In this case, any member of Congress is still a person with specific powers and authority.
“The fact is that sexual misconduct like this was both brazen and drunken, and the behavior becomes more serious as the level of threat increases.”
Investigators interviewed the complainant, witnesses and Bell. It also examined WhatsApp messages between those involved.
Bell told investigators “I was obviously drunk” and that he couldn’t “recollect anything from that night.”
“He said he remembered touching the complainant’s thigh, “possibly her waist,” but he denied touching her buttocks, the report states.
“His version was that there was mutual flirting, which led to him touching the complainant.
“But of his suggestion of flirting, he added: ‘To be fair, I probably flirted more with her than vice versa’.
“The complainant denies any mutual flirting or encouraging behavior in any way.”
The complainant told investigators she felt “really uncomfortable” and called his behavior “incredibly brazen.”
Bell was first elected to parliament in 2019, winning the former Labor stronghold of Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire.
he highly criticized Boris Johnson was criticized for his handling of the Partygate scandal and in February 2022 called for the then Prime Minister to step down.
From November 2023 to July 2024, he served in the Office of the Party Whip (the team responsible for managing party discipline).
