'Independent complaints process for Senedd is vital'

WITNESSES have called for a fully independent process to deal with bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct by Senedd members, amid concerns about politics trumping fairness.

- CHRIS HAINES

Jane Runeckles, of the FDA trade union which primarily represents civil service managers urged Wales to follow Westminster's lead by setting up an independent complaints process.

Currently, politicians in Wales “mark their own homework”, with the standards committee which is made up of Senedd Members handling complaints against their peers.

Similarly, the First Minister oversees complaints made against their own Cabinet colleagues.

Ms Runeckles, a former special adviser to then-first minister Mark Drakeford, argued that politicians should play no part in the process nor decisions on sanctions.

Calling for a properly resourced complaints procedure, she suggested establishing a panel made up of independent experts, as happened in Westminster five years ago.

The FDA warned: “If there is any opportunity for self-regulation, politics will take precedence over fairness, and the victims of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment will be failed.”