Exclusive:Complaint about Monica Lennon sent to Scottish Parliament chief executive
The high-profile Labour MSP has strongly denied the claims, describing them as a ‘work of fiction’
A complaint about Monica Lennon’s behaviour was sent to the Scottish Parliament's chief executive, The Scotsman can reveal.
The senior Labour MSP has been accused of bullying by multiple former staffers but she strongly denies the claims.
In response, Ms Lennon told reporters that both the parliament and the Scottish Labour Party had been clear to her “that there have never been any allegations or complaints”.
However, The Scotsman has seen two separate complaints raised in July by former staffers concerned about Ms Lennon’s prospective return to Holyrood. They were sent to the parliament’s People Services email inbox.
The complainers - who were both anonymous - received a response that said the parliament was “unable to receive or investigate this type of complaint" through this inbox, and they were directed to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
One of the emails has the subject line “Complaint Regarding Historic Bullying By Monica Lennon” and was also sent to David McGill, the parliament’s chief executive.
Ms Lennon was returned to the parliament as the next MSP on the Labour list after Anas Sarwar was elevated to the House of Lords.
In the complaints, both former staffers ask the parliament to investigate their claims, saying they are concerned about Ms Lennon’s return to Holyrood.
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The Scotsman told on Thursday last week how concerns had been raised about Ms Lennon’s return and expected shadow cabinet position.
At least four former staffers who worked for Ms Lennon accused her of bullying.
A senior Scottish Labour source said staff had signed confidentiality agreements after complaining about her behaviour, and some also received lump sum payments.
Union sources - from different unions - confirmed they dealt with staff complaints.
Paul Holleran, the former Scottish organiser for the National Union of Journalists, said he represented one of Ms Lennon’s staffers. He said the complaint involved allegations of bullying behaviour but it was not officially lodged with the party or the parliament.
While taking questions from the media last week, Ms Lennon told reporters: “The parliament has been very clear to me, as has the Labour Party, that there have never been any allegations or complaints.”
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One complaint is from a former staff member who says they worked in the Scottish Labour Party Support Unit.
It was sent to the Holyrood People Services inbox and Mr McGill on July 29.
In the email, the former staffer writes: “Having seen recent media reports suggesting that Monica Lennon will return to the Scottish Parliament as an MSP, I feel I would be failing in my responsibility to former and future parliamentary staff if I did not bring my experience formally to the attention of the Parliament.”
They add: “During my time at Holyrood, I witnessed and experienced behaviour from Ms Lennon which I considered intimidating, aggressive and inappropriate towards both me and colleagues.
“My concerns were sufficiently serious that I felt compelled at the time to make a complaint in writing to the Scottish Labour Party's then business manager, James Kelly MSP, regarding Ms Lennon's behaviour towards me and others.
“I would expect that records relating to that complaint may still exist and would urge the parliament to seek and examine them as part of any investigation.”
The Scotsman contacted Mr Kelly about this, but he declined to comment.
“I was not alone in raising concerns,” the person continued. “I was aware during my employment of a number of colleagues who had serious concerns about Ms Lennon's treatment of staff and who felt compelled to raise these through appropriate channels.”
They claim Ms Lennon’s parliamentary office had an “exceptionally high turnover of staff”, but said they could not speak to the circumstances of each individual’s departure.
The email asks the parliament to contact previous staff members and look for contemporaneous records.
“The parliament has a duty of care towards those who work within it, including junior staff who may feel particularly vulnerable when raising concerns about elected members,” it says.
A separate email, submitted on July 27, reads: “I want to write to you to raise a formal complaint as a witness to claims of bullying. I do so in accordance with the Scottish Parliament’s reporting procedures, as I do not think it is appropriate to resolve this informally.
“It is my understanding that this complaint will be received by the Scottish Parliament’s People Services Team who will commission an independent investigator.”
The former staffer says they believe the parliament and the HR team should be made aware of Ms Lennon’s alleged previous behaviour.
They say: “It was brought to my attention on several occasions that employees of Monica Lennon MSP believed they had been bullied by her.
“There was at least one incident of a long-term mental health absence as a result of her behaviour.
“Many employees did not spend long working for her because of the way she treated them.
“It is my understanding that issues were raised several times with the Labour business managers.”
They add: “It is my hope that any future employees are made aware of her behaviour before accepting a contract.”
Ms Lennon was approached for comment on the two emails.
On Thursday last week, she described the bullying allegations against her as “vexatious” and a "work of fiction".
Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra previously said no complaints had been made to the Labour Party about the MSP.
The party said it had nothing further to add.
A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: “Parliamentary officials have been clear – including in response to media inquiries over summer - that complaints from former staff should be made to the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
“To ensure confidence in our procedures, and fairness to staff and MSPs alike, we do not comment upon allegations made or on individual cases.”
The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life said it had not received any complaints about Ms Lennon.
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