Peer suspended from House of Lords for launching tirade at parliament safety workers | EUROtoday

A former Marks and Spencer boss has been suspended from the House of Lords for six months after he was discovered to have launched a tirade of abuse at members of parliamentary workers.

The prolonged suspension was handed right down to Lord Stone of Blackheath after he was discovered to have been impolite and aggressive, with the choice noting he poses a “continuing risk to those on the parliamentary estate”.

The incident confirmed the “clear pattern” of the non-affiliated peer’s poor behaviour continued, in keeping with the House of Lords conduct committee.

Lord Stone, who has admitted to getting “over-angry”, has beforehand had a sequence of complaints upheld towards him for harassment.

As a consequence he underwent a complete of 14 classes of behaviour change teaching, supplied by a specialist coach at public expense.

The newest complaints relate to an incident in July final 12 months, after Lord Stone left his suitcase unattended on the Underground station entrance to parliament.

When instructed he couldn’t depart it there he grew to become abusive and known as one safety guard “stupid” and one other “thick and stupid”.

Refusing to take away his suitcase he instructed one of many officers: “I don’t care if they piss on it.”

In his written response to the complaints, Lord Stone, who was joint managing director of Marks and Spencer from 1996 to 1999, didn’t dispute the information of the case.

A subsequent attraction by the peer towards his proposed suspension was dismissed by the conduct committee.

In its report, the committee mentioned: “The present case demonstrates that the ‘clear pattern’ of Lord Stone’s poor behaviour continues.

“Despite the hope we expressed in 2020, Lord Stone appears to have no greater insight into his behaviour now than he did then.

“His continued inability to control his behaviour and to treat staff with respect and courtesy is unacceptable.”

Speaking at Westminster, committee chair Baroness Manningham-Buller, the previous head of MI5, mentioned: “There are two reasons for such a long suspension.

“First, there is Lord Stone’s total lack of insight into his behaviour. He continues to deny there is a power imbalance between him, a member of this House, and junior security staff.

“This combined with his self-confessed inability to control his temper makes him a continuing risk to those on the parliamentary estate.”

She added: “Second, this is the third time he has been found in breach of the rules on bullying and harassment. On the two previous occasions he was sent on bespoke training courses and he has in fact undertaken 14 coaching sessions at the House’s expense.

“We made it clear on our last report that any further breach would be met with a much more severe sanction.

“In conclusion, I hope that the House will agree that a long suspension is merited and I invite Lord Stone to use the coming months to reflect on his behaviour and to seek professional support which will help him manage it more effectively in future.”

Lord Stone’s six-month suspension was accepted by the House with no vote.