A former Tory whip was accused of ‘serious sexual conduct’ abuse” inside Parliament bar, one investigation He found it.

Former Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell was reprimanded by Parliament’s standards watchdog on Tuesday for “brazen and drunken” sexual harassment of a “pretty” young woman.

A panel concluded the 44-year-old man Conservativestanding there vote In July, he “abused his position of power” by touching a woman “inappropriately and without her consent.” foreignersbar in December 2023.

If Mr Bell were still an MP, the panel said it would consider suspending him from Parliament for a “significant period”.

The report concluded that Mr Bell “abused his authority over the complainant”.

“Not only was he quite old, but he Member of Parliament so it has a particularly strong role,” he said.

“In addition, he was a Deputy Government Whip, a role that not only had considerable authority but also involved maintaining the highest standards of conduct.

“It does not diminish the seriousness of the behavior that took place in the bar. This environment is in the workplace, no matter how the participant or others view this environment.

“In this environment, any Member of Parliament remains a person with a certain amount of power and authority. Indeed, this type of sexual abuse, which is both brazen and intoxicating, makes the behavior more serious as the level of threat increases.”

Bell, who became a member of parliament in 2019, announced shortly before the July elections that he would not run again for “personal and family reasons”.

The constituency was won by Labor in the general election and Adam Jogee currently serves as an MP.

Responding to the finding that he had breached Parliament’s rules on sexual misconduct, former MP Aaron Bell said: “I am disappointed with the outcome of the investigation but have chosen not to challenge the Commissioner’s findings.

“I apologize for upsetting the complainant and would like to make it clear that I did not intend to cause any distress.

“This investigation was one of the reasons I did not stand for re-election in the general election; I have disappointed the loyal members of my association and I thank them for their support as an MP.

I would also like to apologize to the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme whom I have the honor of serving.

“This has been a difficult time for my family and I ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”