Tony Vaughan apologises to parliament after bullying finding

A panel found he breached bullying rules

As the BBC reported, on Thursday the Folkestone and Hythe MP addressed the Commons, accepting in full the Independent Expert Panel's findings.

As per the panel, the MP acted in an overbearing and belittling manner towards a female staff member.

Vaughan, the panel said, hugged her without her permission at an office event, then took her phone from her hand so he could join a call uninvited.

The MP appealed the ruling, but the panel upheld most of it.

What the Tony Vaughan report found

Vaughan's actions, according to the 36-page report, were not a simple failure of management.

Rather, the panel said, they were a breach of "basic boundaries and courtesy" and an abuse of his power.

The conduct towards staff was "wholly unacceptable", panel members declared.

"As a result of these behaviours, my former colleague was upset and humiliated," Vaughan said.

"My behaviour had a real and continuing impact on her and her family, and I am truly sorry for this."

Labour's response to the bullying finding

According to a spokesperson for the Labour Party, the party expects the highest standards from its MPs.

It has "robust processes in place" to uphold them, they added.

The spokesperson said: "It is right that Tony Vaughan has apologised following this independent process."

What did Tony Vaughan do wrong?

• Hugged a female staff member without her permission at an office event
• Picked up her mobile without asking so he could join an online call
• Never explained why calls between the two of them cut off abruptly

Will Tony Vaughan face further punishment?

The report requires Vaughan to apologise on the Commons floor, and he has now done just that.

Under parliamentary rules, the complainant, who the report says felt stressed and humiliated, keeps her anonymity.