I just saw the latest story to come out of our government, an MP found not to have harrassed a 19 year old interview candidate by sending her lewd texts.
According to the story, it's not that he didnt send unwelcome lewd texts to a 19 year old, only that it fell short of harrasment; he has apologised apparently, and admits his behaviour fell short of standards.
Except , no, it is not OK. If most workers in the UK did something like that, they would be in serious trouble, possibly fired, or definately on a written warning at a minimum, they might lose bonuses or privileges, and could be removed from sensitive positions.
Lets be clear, this isnt an isolated incident, just last week a senior member of the cabinet admitted to knowing there WAS porn on his office computers, despite previously advising that he didnt know; that is aside from other alegations of poor conduct.
We had the expenses scandal, a peer in prostitites underwear snorting Columbian baking powder, the 'Sword of Truth' (the sword apparently representing purjury), the list goes on; and thats just what leaks out!
Well, when they have time, 'cos all that porn and sexting, while fiddling your expenses must be time consuming.
Of course they should be afforded a fair hearing, and if there was nothing done wrong then fine, we move on. But the idea an apology is enough, and we all forgive and forget blatantly unacceptable behavior, is unacceptable. From the outside looking in, it appears as though Parliament has an environment 30 years behind that of the rest of the nation.
Party leaders need to make this clear; they would rather lose seats to the opposition, than have those seats filled by people incapable of meeting the standards required of an ordinary voter.
If you meet a 19 year old at a job interview, that is a business environment, perhaps the person is attractive, but its a business environment; you DONT follow up on that even with a 'fancy a drink some time?' text, that would be inappropriate.
If you know there is porn on your office computers (assuming you wernt the person who downloaded it), you need to lauch an immediate investigation, and have a security sweep (there could be other nasty things leaking secrets!); you dont swear black is white while pretending you never knew. You also self disclose the situation and assure the public you have dealt with the issue; now that is appropriate.
This isnt about whether you breached a specific code of conduct threshold, or the law; this is treating your role, and your privileged position in society, and the public at large, with respect. Getting away with behaviour just below the threshold, is dis-respectful.
