By james art Parliamentary Standards Commissioner found the former Newcastle-under-Lyme MP inappropriately touched a female member of staff while in the Stranger’s Bar in December 2023.
Mr Bell stood down as an MP at this year’s general election, partly because of the investigation into his conduct, meaning there are few sanctions available, but an independent panel said it would recommend his suspension from parliament for a “significant period” was he still an MP .
Responding to the report, Mr Bell said he was “disappointed” with the outcome but had chosen not to appeal the inquiry’s findings.
He said: “I apologize for the 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 the reasons I chose not to 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 a Member of Parliament. I would also like to apologize to the people of Newcastle under Lyme who I have had the honor of serving.’
Mr Bell told the inquest he was “clearly tipsy” having previously been to other receptions for drinks before going to the Stranger’s Bar where he joined the complainant and two witnesses.
According to the coroner’s report, he continued to touch her thigh, waist and bottom, causing her “shock, humiliation and fear”.
The panel rejected Mr Bell’s claim that there had been “mutual flirting”, something which was denied by the complainant, with the Standards Commissioner noting that it “would in no way justify touching without specific consent”.
Although Mr Bell chose not to appeal the finding against him, the commissioner referred his case to the independent panel to decide on the appropriate sanction.
The panel noted that his misconduct was aggravated by the fact that he had “abused his authority over the applicant” as an MP and, at the time, as Assistant Government Whip.
It also found that the complainant felt “targeted” because she was “a young, female and junior member of staff who would risk a significant adverse impact on her career if she complained”.
The report added: “It does not diminish the seriousness of the behavior that took place in a bar.
“No matter how the respondent or others may view this environment, it is a workplace and is governed by rules and policies for appropriate behaviour.
“Each deputy in this situation remains a person with special power and authority. Indeed, sexual misconduct such as that which is both brazen and drunken makes the behavior more serious as the level of threat increases.
As well as noting that Mr Bell would have faced significant suspension had he still been an MP, the panel said it would also have recommended an indefinite suspension of his parliamentary pass if he had been eligible for one as a former MP, but has not served a long enough term to qualify for one.
He concluded that “the contents of this report will be a published reprimand of the defendant’s misconduct.”