Ex-Tory MP in case of ‘brazen and drunken’ sexual misconduct and ‘abuse of energy’

An ex-Tory MP who unexpectedly stood down just weeks before the election has been reprimanded for “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct, Parliament’s standards watchdog has said.

Former Newcastle-Under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell was found to have “abused his position of power” by touching a young woman “inappropriately and without her consent” at a bar in Parliament last December. The Tory, who at the time was an Assistant Government Whip, stepped down as a candidate for re-election during the campaign for “personal and family reasons”.

It has now emerged he was under investigation over “a serious case of sexual misconduct involving an abuse of power”. Had Mr Bell still been an MP, the watchdog said it would have considered suspending him from Parliament “for a significant period” and looked at an “indefinite removal” of his MP’s pass.

In a report released on Tuesday, the Independent Expert Panel said the former MP touched a woman “on her left thigh, waist and bottom inappropriately and without her consent” in Strangers bar in December 2023.

Explaining how he abused his power over the victim, the report: “Not only was he considerably older, but he was also a Member of Parliament therefore holding a particularly powerful role. In addition, he was an Assistant Government Whip which is not only a […] role with considerable authority, but also […] involves upholding the highest standards of conduct.”

Investigators said they noted “the considerable and enduring impact of the incident on the complainant, resulting from the ‘shock, humiliation and fear’ that the respondent’s conduct caused”. The report also detailed how the victim felt targeted by Mr Bell “because she was young, female and a junior member of staff who would risk considerable adverse impacts on her career if she made a complaint”. It also noted the victim’s apprehension of “the potential significant negative consequences” on the her professional life from having reporting his conduct.

In its conclusions, the report said, “It does not reduce the seriousness of the conduct that it took place in a bar. No matter how the respondent or others may view that environment, it is in the workplace […]. Any Member of Parliament in that setting remains a person with particular power and authority. Indeed, sexual misconduct such as this, which is both brazen and drunken, makes the conduct more

“The sub-panel concluded that this was ‘a serious case of sexual misconduct involving an abuse of power’ and that had Mr Bell still been a MP it would have considered a suspension for a ‘significant period’. If he had been eligible for a former Member’s pass it would have sought its indefinite removal. In the circumstances ‘this Report will stand as a published reprimand for the respondent’s misconduct’.”

Responding to the finding that he had breached Parliament’s rules on sexual misconduct, Mr Bell said: “I am disappointed at the outcome of the investigation but have chosen not to appeal the findings of the Commissioner. I apologise for any 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 seek re-election at the general election – I have let down the loyal members of my association and thank them for the support they gave me as a Member of Parliament. I would also like to apologise to the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme, whom it was an honour to serve. This has been a difficult time for my family and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”