Lib Dem MP apologises for grabbing man’s security pass in bullying row

A Scottish MP who grabbed the security pass around a worker’s neck has been censured by Westminster authorities.

Lib Dem Angus MacDonald has been told to make a written apology for breaching the parliament’s bullying and harassment policy.

MacDonald told the Independent Expert Panel investigating that he now understood that his actions were likely to be considered “intrusive” and would not do so again.

Authorities intervened after a complaint from a sub-contractor working as a verbatim court reporter in parliament.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found MacDonald had grabbed the security pass of a contractor supporting the work of a select committee without warning or permission and with such force that the complainant was tilted forward.

The man was in training to report select committee proceedings at the time and had the pass on a lanyard around his neck. He reported that MacDonald held the pass in place, “keeping him in a semi-bowed position”, before letting go and walking away.

The incident happened on the man’s first day in parliament and before a meeting of the Scottish Affairs Committee, of which MacDonald is a member.

A report was made to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, triggering an investigation.

The panel recommended that the complaint be upheld and it was determined that there was no substance in the grounds of an appeal raised by MacDonald, who represents Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire.

MacDonald told the investigation that he had no memory of the meeting in question, nor of the incident, but accepted during the course of proceedings that he “probably did” read the complainant’s name on his pass.

There was an “element of remorse”, the panel found, and the “comparatively brief” incident was not “planned or premeditated”, or “deliberately targeted”.

He denied using any force in grabbing the pass and told the panel he is “deeply sorry the complainant was left feeling upset and disrespected”.

MacDonald told the panel he would be “more mindful going forward” and would not inspect security passes in the same manner.

A spokesperson for the MP said: “Mr MacDonald accepts the conclusions of this report and has provided a full written apology to the complainant. He regrets any distress caused to the individual involved.”