Blog post by Farore Law Limited
Introduction
Since August 2019, Ms A has been fighting a claim in the employment tribunals of sexual harassment and victimisation against Mike Hill MP who is the Labour MP for Hartlepool.
The Final Hearing for Ms A’s case is taking place at London Central Employment Tribunal on 10th – 19th May 2021.
This is an important and high-profile case which Ms A is determined to bring in order to highlight what she alleges to be the significant abuse of power by a public figure whose behaviour should be challenged and dealt with in a public forum outside of parliament.
Ms A is seeking to raise £25,000 to assist with her legal fees. This is why she needs your help.
If Ms A does not fight her case this man will face no consequences for his actions. He is funded by insurance, paid for by the public. Ms A on the other hand has had to live with and will continue to live with the consequences, her mental health and ability to work having been severely impacted by his actions.
Ms A wants to encourage other victims to speak out against their abusers. Victims who should not be silenced and be the ones to suffer the consequences for their abusers’ actions.
Background
These matters appear in the pleaded case of Ms A.
Ms A became acquainted with Mr Hill in his capacity as a UNISON Regional Organiser between June 2015 and 2017. Ms A was at the time suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Depressive Disorder. Mr Hill supported Ms A as a close friend, visiting regularly during this time. Mr Hill built a strong relationship with Ms A’s daughter and was introduced to other members of Ms A’s family. Ms A consequently regarded Mr Hill as a very trusted friend.
Offer of employment and accommodation
In September 2017, Mr Hill asked Ms A if she would relocate from her home in the North East to London and work for him as a Senior Parliamentary Researcher, with Mr Hill as her direct line manager. Ms A expressed concern about housing difficulties. However, since no housing assistance was available Ms A turned down Mr Hill’s offer.
Mr Hill informed Ms A that he received (as expenses provided to him as an MP) almost £2,000 per month towards his accommodation in London and offered to share a 2-bedroom flat with Ms A on the understanding that any costs above the £2,000 limit would be addressed between themselves. Mr Hill also said that Ms A’s daughter could move in with them (thus enabling her to finish her London-based studies). Ms A felt that this would be an opportunity for her to repay Mr Hill for the support he provided throughout her time of need during 2015 to 2017. Based on their existing friendship and following positive discussion with Ms A’s mother and children, Ms A agreed to relocate and work for Mr Hill. Ms A's salary was agreed, and Mr Hill promised her a rise to the top of her pay band in April 2018. Ms A therefore gave notice on her rented home where she lived with her daughter.
First instance of sexual harassment
Mr Hill telephoned Ms A in the late evening of 22 September 2017 saying that he loved her and that he could not go ahead with sharing a flat with her unless he was able to share a bed with her. Ms A was shocked and confused and put the phone down. The next day, Ms A made it clear to Mr Hill that she would entertain no more talk about a personal or sexual relationship, to which Mr Hill agreed.
Commencement of role and continued harassment
Ms A signed her contract of employment on 30 October 2017 and commenced her role on 4 November 2017.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (“IPSA”) did not approve funding for Ms A to stay in a hotel whilst she looked for a 2-bedroom flat. It was therefore agreed that she would stay in Mr Hill’s 1-bedroom flat in Pimlico from Mondays to Wednesdays, with Ms A sleeping in the bedroom and Mr Hill sleeping in the living room. Ms A would return to her mother's home on Thursdays through to Monday mornings.
On two occasions, Mr Hill got into Ms A’s bed whilst she was asleep and touched Ms A in an intimate and sexual way without her permission. Ms A was extremely shocked upon waking; she immediately left the bed on both occasions and remained crying and shaking in the living room until the following morning. Ms A informed Mr Hill on both occasions that his behaviour made her very uncomfortable and asked him to stop.
Mr Hill continued entering Ms A’s room and her bed in the middle of the night on many occasions throughout December 2017 to February 2018. As soon as Ms A heard Mr Hill, she would immediately move to the living area to avoid being touched by Mr Hill. Ms A was afraid to sleep during this time. Ms A felt trapped and focused her efforts on securing a 2-bedroom flat, believing that once her daughter was present Mr Hill would cease his harassment of her.
When Ms A eventually found a 2-bedroom flat, with no assistance from Mr Hill, Ms A moved to that in late February 2018 with her daughter moving in shortly afterwards. This was also Mr Hill’s accommodation in London, paid for out of his expenses as an MP. Mr Hill no longer attempted to enter Ms A’s room and her bed whilst she was sleeping. As will be seen, however, Mr Hill continued his harassment of Ms A in his Westminster office.
Also at this time, Mr Hill insisted on Ms A travelling with him to his constituency, but not to acknowledge him in front of his wife or constituents who knew Mr Hill’s wife.
Continued sexual harassment in the workplace
Mr Hill sexually assaulted Ms A on numerous occasions at his Westminster office. Mr Hill’s harassment continued throughout February 2018 to around early May 2018. The harassment caused great distress to Ms A. When Ms A complained to Mr Hill about his behaviour, in retaliation he victimised her by extending her probationary period.
Further acts of harassment, discrimination and victimisation
In the summer of 2018, Mr Hill refused to pay Ms A the promised pay rise. Mr Hill insisted that Ms A work in the constituency throughout the summer recess and made repeated threats to put in his notice on the flat, which would render Ms A homeless.
Mr Hill also instigated a staffing review that ultimately led to Ms A’s dismissal on 2 September 2019, supposedly on the ground of redundancy.
The reality was that all of Mr Hill’s actions were further acts of harassment and discrimination of Ms A, and were also victimisation because Ms A had complained to Mr Hill about his sexual harassment of her.
Mr Hill’s attempt to secure anonymity
Ms A’s claim is serious and must be heard in public by an Employment Tribunal. As she has made a complaint to the police of sexual assault, the law provides Ms A with life-long anonymity.
Conversely, Mr Hill is not only a person who Ms A maintains took advantage of her vulnerability to become her employer and then her abuser, Mr Hill is also an MP – a public figure in a position of wider trust and responsibility who represents a range of constituents. A claim of sexual assault, harassment, discrimination and victimisation against Mr Hill should therefore be the subject of public scrutiny.
Despite this, at the start of 2020, Mr Hill sought anonymity for himself in these Tribunal proceedings. However, following a hearing at which one national newspaper intervened, a Tribunal Judge did not grant Mr Hill anonymity. The Judge emphasised the need for open justice in this case. The Judge also highlighted the importance of the strong public interest in issues relating to alleged sexual harassment of workers by those employing them or in positions of authority over them, as well as in matters of alleged serious misconduct in public office.