PARLIAMENTARY workers have told of a “predatory culture” in the House of Commons, with its new complaints process “too slow” to stop abuses of power by male MPs and senior staff.

Ellie Varley, 25, parliamentary aide to Tory MP Dehenna Davison, said the problem was rife in the Commons and “transcends party politics.”

She said she was asked to sit on a male MP’s lap on the parliamentary estate. He is one of a number to be suspended over separate allegations.

“There are big names in Westminster, and you kind of feel intimidated by them,” she told the BBC.

“He just kept saying just come sit on my lap.

“And I was like: ‘I’m fine, thank you. I don’t want to sit on your lap’.”

The MP was so persistent she felt she had no choice, and reluctantly agreed to “get him off my case,” she said.

Ms Varley was among six staff members who spoke to the BBC of incidents that took place in the past two years.

They complained the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) was “too slow” at dealing with complaints.

A House of Commons spokesman said it took complaints “extremely seriously” and “we remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here.”

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect union, which represents workers in Parliament, said: “Once again we see multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour by elected representatives in what is supposed to be a workplace. 

“The ICGS remains a far better system than we had previously, albeit one which can be improved. 

“A complaints system can only work if its investigations are timely and if people are clear that perpetrators will face appropriate censure.

“Part of that has to be giving parliament the ability to exclude MPs from the house when they are accused of serious misconduct.”