Labor MP Liam Byrne suspended for two days for bullying assistant

Liam Byrne abused his position of power and ousted the employee by ceasing personal contact with him for several months, a disciplinary panel found.

He also denied him access to his parliamentary IT account in what was described as a ‘significant abuse of power’ by Parliamentary Standard Commissioner Kathryn Stone.

A recommendation to suspend him has been made by the House’s independent panel of experts, which found a breach of parliament’s bullying and harassment policies.

Panel members said Mr Byrne “sought to present his actions as a reasonable HR strategy”.

But they added: ‘We disagree. It was bullying. He should, as he now accepts, have tackled any offense through a proper disciplinary process, not by expelling the complainant. ‘

The punishment depends on Mr Byrne also giving a written apology to the complainant.

He must undertake training and take steps to address the causes of his behavior and weaknesses in the management of his office.

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