Ex-Tory MP Aaron Bell reprimanded for ‘drunken’ sexual misconduct

Former Conservative MP Aaron Bell has been reprimanded by Parliament’s requirements watchdog for “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct.

Bell was discovered to have touched a girl “on her left thigh, waist and bottom inappropriately and without her consent” in certainly one of Parliament’s bars in December 2023.

The Independent Expert Panel (IEP) concluded that if Bell had nonetheless been an MP it could have thought of suspending him from Parliament “for a significant period”.

Bell introduced his determination to step down because the MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme earlier this 12 months citing private and household causes.

Responding to the report, he mentioned he was “disappointed at the outcome” however wouldn’t attraction the findings.

“I apologise for any upset caused to the complainant and wish to make it clear that I did not intend to cause any distress.

“This investigation was one of many causes I selected to not search re-election on the common election – I’ve let down the loyal members of my affiliation and thank them for the assist they gave me as a Member of Parliament. I’d additionally prefer to apologise to the individuals of Newcastle-under-Lyme, whom it was an honour to serve.

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

The grievance in opposition to the MP was lodged in February 2024 and subsequently upheld.

The IEP concluded that Bell had “abused his position of power over the complainant”.

The panel added: “Not only was he considerably older, but he was also a Member of Parliament therefore holding a particularly powerful role.

“In addition, he was an assistant authorities whip which isn’t solely a… position with appreciable authority, but additionally… includes upholding the best requirements of conduct.

“It does not reduce the seriousness of the conduct that it took place in a bar.

“Any Member of Parliament in that setting stays an individual with specific energy and authority.

“Indeed, sexual misconduct such as this, which is both brazen and drunken, makes the conduct more serious as the level of threat is increased.”

The investigation performed interviews with the complainant, eye witnesses and Bell. It additionally reviewed WhatsApp messages between these concerned.

Bell informed the investigator “I was clearly drunk” and that he couldn’t “recall everything about the evening”.

The report states: “He said he remembered touching the complainant’s thigh, “probably her waist”, however he denied touching her backside.

“His account was that there was mutual flirting, which led to his touching the complainant.

“But in relation to his suggestion of flirting, he added that: ‘Probably, to be fair, more from me to her than the other way round’.

“The complainant denied any mutual flirting or encouragement in any way.”

The complainant informed the investigator she felt “really uncomfortable” and referred to as his conduct “incredibly brazen”.

Bell was first elected to Parliament in 2019, profitable the previous Labour stronghold of Newcastle-Under-Lyme in Staffordshire.

He was extremely crucial of Boris Johnson over his dealing with of the Partygate scandal and in February 2022 referred to as on the then-prime minister to step down.

He served within the whip’s workplace – the crew accountable for managing get together self-discipline – from November 2023 till July 2024.