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21 Apr 2026
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21 Apr 2026
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A senior Labour MP has been suspended from the House of Commons for two days for bullying a member of staff.
Ex-cabinet minister Liam Byrne was found to have ostracised former staff member David Barker between March 20 and the end of July 2020.
This followed a dispute between Mr Byrne and Mr Barker at the Birmingham Hodge Hill constituency office which prompted the MP to send the complainant home.
Parliamentary commissioner for standards Kathryn Stone upheld a single allegation of bullying against Mr Byrne following a complaint made under Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS).
Mr Byrne later said he was “profoundly sorry” and had apologised.
On Wednesday evening, MPs approved a motion to suspend Mr Byrne from the Commons on Thursday and Monday May 16.
Mr Byrne’s salary will also be withdrawn for two days, the motion added.
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