Charlotte Nichols may 'publicly shame' Labour Party

The Labour MP's threat has followed a conversation that she had last week on BBC Radio 4 following the party's suspension of Geraint Davies, a Welsh MP who has had allegations of sexual misconduct made against him.

Ms Nichols explained that she believed the party only acted when the allegations became public knowledge.

The Labour MP has said she reserves the right to name an individual accused of sexual misconduct in the Commons (Image: Parliament TV)

Speaking at the time, Ms Nichols said: "It was damage limitation from the party's point of view.

"But they have known about this sort of behaviour - not just from him, but from others as well - for a very long time, and they have chosen not to act."

Ms Nichols claimed that another member of the Labour Party, a frontbencher no less, had also been the target of sexual misconduct allegations.

She did not name the frontbencher but the Met said that an investigation into the individual was dropped 'at the victim's request.'

Ms Nichols did not go as far as naming the Labour frontbencher, though has commented on social media: "He's really not all that high profile which makes the party protecting him all the more baffling, it's not like he's one of the 'big names'."

Ms Nichols says that her party has been inactive, and that she 'expects better' from Labour (Image: Newsquest)

When quizzed by the Warrington Guardian as to whether she will be naming the individual in the House of Commons - where MPs are free to speak on any subject, and where they cannot be sued for defamation over their comments - Ms Nichols issued a threat to her own party.

The Labour MP for Warrington North said: "Everyone in Parliament and the party hierarchy who has the power to act has the information they need to do so, and it's beyond disappointing that until now my party has chosen not to.

"As the Labour Party only acted in the Geraint Davies case at the point at which his name came into the public domain despite allegations stretching back over an extended period, if this is what it takes to get them to do the right thing, then I reserve the right to do this. 

"I hope, however, this action will not be necessary, as we should not need to be publicly shamed into taking robust action on those accused of serious misconduct and ensuring safeguarding measures are put in place while they are properly investigated.

“No party has clean hands on this issue but I expect better from my own."

She added: "Those who will only demand higher standards from other parties but will stay silent on unacceptable conduct or inaction on sexual harassment from their own parties are not interested in addressing the problem, but in scoring political points."

When entering Parliament in 2019, the Labour MP said she was warned about certain individuals to avoid due to sexual misconduct allegations (Image: Newsquest)

When Ms Nichols' threat was put to the Labour Party by the Warrington Guardian, a spokesperson said: "We urge anyone with a complaint to come forward to Labour’s independent complaints process, Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme or, if appropriate, the police, so that allegations can be swiftly and fully investigated and action taken.

"The party has ensured that there is a wide range of support available to complainants, to provide confidence and confidential guidance throughout the disciplinary process.”