Aaron Bell, a former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), has recently faced a public reprimand from Parliament’s standards watchdog for what has been described as “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct. According to the findings of the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), Bell reportedly inappropriately touched a woman without her consent in December 2023 in one of Parliament’s bars. The IEP’s conclusions noted that if Bell had remained an MP, he might have been suspended from Parliament for an extended period.
Earlier this year, Bell announced his decision to step down as the MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, citing personal and family considerations. Reflecting on the IEP’s report, he expressed disappointment at the outcome but confirmed that he would not be challenging the findings. Bell issued an apology to the complainant, acknowledging any distress caused and clarifying that it was not his intent to cause harm. He added that the investigation was among the factors influencing his decision to refrain from running for re-election and that he regretted letting down his supporters and constituents.
https://www.cpmrevenuegate.com/vt6hstxc?key=785582df3563a5011d6a42a72f53041eh
The complaint against Bell was initially filed in February 2024, after which it was formally upheld. The IEP’s investigation found that Bell had “abused his position of power” over the complainant, considering not only his status as an MP but also his age and seniority as factors contributing to the imbalance of power in the situation. At the time of the incident, Bell held the position of assistant government whip, a role carrying considerable responsibility for upholding standards of conduct and maintaining discipline within the party.
The IEP emphasized that the setting of the misconduct—a public bar in Parliament—did not mitigate the seriousness of the incident. Rather, it considered the conduct more severe given the “brazen and drunken” nature of Bell’s actions, which intensified the perceived level of threat.
Throughout the investigation, testimonies were gathered from the complainant, witnesses, and Bell himself, alongside a review of relevant WhatsApp messages. Bell admitted to being “clearly drunk” at the time of the incident and acknowledged he could not fully recall the evening’s events. He did remember touching the complainant’s thigh and “probably her waist,” although he denied touching her lower body. Bell claimed there had been mutual flirting; however, he conceded that any flirtation was likely more one-sided on his part. The complainant, by contrast, denied any mutual engagement, describing the conduct as “incredibly brazen” and stating that she felt “really uncomfortable” with his behavior.
https://www.cpmrevenuegate.com/vt6hstxc?key=785582df3563a5011d6a42a72f53041eh
Bell first entered Parliament in 2019, securing a win in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, a former Labour stronghold in Staffordshire. Known for his critical stance on issues within his party, he had previously voiced opposition to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the “Partygate” controversy and had publicly called for Johnson’s resignation in early 2022. Bell served in the whip’s office from November 2023 to July 2024, overseeing party discipline until his decision to resign from his parliamentary duties.
