Labour MP tells the Commons he is 'truly sorry' after hugging a female staffer without consent and taking her phone

Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, was directed to apologise in the House of Commons after the Independent Expert Panel ruled he had violated Parliament's bullying and harassment policy. Rather than dismissing his behaviour as simple management failings, the panel concluded it constituted an "abuse of his power" and a breach of "basic boundaries and courtesy." Vaughan challenged the original findings on appeal, but the panel upheld most of them.

The complainant described to the panel the stress, exhaustion, upset and offence his conduct caused her, saying the effects have continued to weigh on her and her family.

Vaughan told the Commons he is 'more alert to the need for sensitivity' and has since undergone extra training.