Police are investigating allegations of a hate crime at the House of Commons after an MP who was called “queer” by a peer after she raised his “abusive” behaviour towards parliamentary staff.
Lord Ken Maginnis was accused of “one of the worst cases of abuse of security staff I have seen” by SNP MP Hannah Bardell.
The Northern Irish unionist peer launched a tirade at staff, calling them “crooked” after he forgot his pass to enter parliament and they would not allow him in, Bardell told the Commons on Wednesday.
Responding to HuffPost UK, Maginnis did not deny the allegations, instead choosing to attack Bardell by accusing her of attempting to to “settle a score” because she is “queer” and he is opposed to gay marriage.
Bardell told the Commons on Thursday morning she considered his comments about her to “be a hate crime”.
“We must set the best possible standards for this place for other LGBT people and indeed our staff,” she added.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday evening that it was investigating an allegation of hate crime at the House of Commons.
A spokeswoman said: “The Met’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team is looking into an allegation of hate crime at the House of Commons made to them on Thursday January 9.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, said Maginnis’ “attack” on Bardell was “unutterably disgraceful”. He told MPs Bardell was “clearly owed an apology” from the peer.
He added: “I think everybody who heard about that was shocked by the comments he is reported to have made and not denied. I think they are really appalling.”
Later, the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, said Lord Maginnis’s language was “totally unacceptable and has no place in parliament”.
“I am deeply concerned by recent reports of a member of the House of Lords directing offensive language towards parliamentary security staff and a member of parliament,” he said.
“The reported behaviour and use of such language is totally unacceptable and has no place in parliament.
“We are working hard to build an inclusive and respectful environment, and behaviour such as this totally undermines our collective efforts.
“Security on the parliamentary estate is everyone’s responsibility. Any disregard for security rules is against the interests of us all.
“Our security staff do a difficult job with the utmost professionalism and deserve support from all members.”
Note: Story was updated to reflect the Metropolitan Police’s comments.