Labour MP suspended over serious misconduct and unwanted attention claims
Swansea West MP Geraint Davies has been suspended from the Labour Party due to allegations of “completely unacceptable behaviour.” The party described the claims as “incredibly serious” and urged anyone with a complaint to report it. News website Politico reported that the MP is accused of subjecting younger colleagues to unwanted sexual attention. Davies denied recognising the allegations and expressed regret if he had inadvertently caused offence.
Politico claimed to have spoken with over 20 individuals who worked with Davies in Parliament, including serving MPs and current and former Labour Party staff. According to the website, five women alleged that the MP subjected them to unwanted sexual attention, both physically and verbally. The allegations span at least five years and include excessive drinking, sexual comments, and unwanted touching of younger women. Some individuals reportedly discussed his behaviour with Labour whips responsible for party discipline.
While Labour has not received any formal complaints about Davies’s behaviour, the party has administratively suspended him pending an investigation. As a result, he cannot sit as a Labour MP during the investigation but will continue to serve as the member of Parliament for Swansea West as an independent.
A Labour Party spokesperson stated, “These are incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour. We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward to the Labour party’s investigation.”
Geraint Davies first became an MP in 1997 and has served on several Commons committees, including the Welsh Affairs and Environment Committee. He was the MP for Croydon Central until 2005 and has also served as the leader of the south London borough’s council. In 2010, he became the MP for Swansea West, where he currently holds a majority of 8,116.
These allegations are the latest in a series of inappropriate behaviour claims emerging from Westminster, referred to as the “Pestminster scandal.” Both Labour and Conservative MPs have faced accusations leading to suspensions in recent years.
