Former Tory MP committed 'brazen' sexual misconduct

A former Tory MP inappropriately touched a woman’s bottom in one of parliament’s bars without her consent, according to a damning report by the Commons sleaze watchdog.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Aaron Bell, who suddenly stepped down before the general election despite having campaigned for six days, was found to have touched the complainant’s left thigh, waist and bottom “inappropriately and without her consent” last December in parliament’s Strangers’ Bar.

The damning report, by parliament’s standards commissioner, described the incident as “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct. It found Mr Bell “abused his position of power over the complainant”, citing the significant age gap between the two and his role as an MP and assistant government whip. It said the complainant felt targeted as a young, female and junior member of staff “who would risk considerable adverse impacts on her career if she made a complaint”.