The latest Labour bullying row highlights the need for an independent body

Labour’s internal complaints body looks set to have a busy few weeks. After Debbie Abrahams was effectively suspended as Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary over allegations of bullying, the Labour MP made a bullying allegation of her own. Abrahams claims she’s the one being bullied – accusing unnamed figures in the Leader’s Office of behaving in an ‘aggressive’ and ‘intimidating’ manner towards her. Adding to those two impending investigations is a report today by the Financial Times alleging that Karl Turner, Shadow Transport Minister, slapped a woman’s buttocks  as she walked through his constituency office in the summer of 2015.

Now these type of allegations are by no means confined to just Labour. Following last week’s Newsnight investigation into bullying there are questions regarding the conduct of Conservative MPs – as well as the Commons Speaker. However, the Abrahams case specifically highlights the structural problem with the current system for processing complaints. Allies of Abrahams suggest that there are ulterior motives behind her move as she did not get on with the Leader’s Office.