Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski appears to be taking some well-needed time to reflect on his working practices: the unpaid internship advert for his parliamentary office was withdrawn before the closing date. He is, however, still looking for a full-time caseworker on a salary “in-line with IPSA pay scales”.
This isn’t the first new job opportunity Kawczynski has offered recently. Guido understands he’s churned through 7 staff in the last 22 months, including two interns apparently choosing to leave their employment (if you can can really call free work “employment”) early: one resigned last summer, another on the 4th January, with Kawczynski putting out an ad for their unpaid replacement the same day. No doubt the lucky candidate to join Kawczynski’s team can expect to help him craft his second bullying apology…
The Commons Standards Committee has recommended a day’s suspension (excluding sitting Fridays) for Daniel Kawczynski. The move comes after he was hauled over the coals by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme for bullying and harassment and told to give an apology to the house. Kawczynski managed to undermine his apology, however, by giving an interview beforehand. During the interview with his local BBC radio branch, Kawczynski had identified both the name of the committee the complainant had worked on, and their job titles. “Mr Kawczynski had begun the interview by saying “I was on the [redacted: select committee identified]”, and had used the job titles of the complainants nine times during the interview.”
As a result of the interview, the Commissioner found:
Referred to the Standards Committee, they have found the Shrewsbury MP should be “suspended from the service of the House for one sitting day” and specify it shouldn’t be a sitting Friday. He’ll also have to make another apology to the house; BBC Radio Shropshire, prepare your interviewer…
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski, who recently made headlines for billing taxpayers over £22,000 for his own Polish lessons, is now on the hunt for a new parliamentary intern. While budding politicos have another 11 days to apply, be warned: Kawczynski has no intention of paying. The job listing reveals that, for a 3-month contract, the successful applicant should only expect Kawczynski to cover their travel and food expenses. He won’t pay for his Polish lessons, so not much of a surprise to see he won’t pay his staff either…
Kawczynski looks even worse as fellow Tory MP Chris Loder is also advertising for an intern, with an almost identical list of responsibilities. Unlike his Shrewsbury colleague, however, he’s offering £18-20,000 per annum pro-rata. Loder’s application deadline is one day after Kawczynski’s, so candidates will have a little more time to refine their applications…
Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski has been found to have broken the Commons code of conduct regarding his behaviour, specifically bullying, by the independent expert panel. Tory MPs are making its job very busy at the moment…
According to the report, Kawczynski acted in a “threatening and intimidating” manner to parliamentary committee staff, including via his conduct during “several phone calls and in WhatsApp messages” he sent to the Committee WhatsApp group. They also report that on the evening of April 27 2020 he made phone calls to the Complaints’ manager “whilst under the influence of alcohol”.
The findings won’t come as a surprise to some in SW1. One source points out “his shouting, threats, bullying and aggression are well known.” The highlight of the report is no doubt when Kawczynski blames his mood on his height:
“The Respondent is 6’9” tall and thus very conspicuous in the street, in his local shops. He found himself under repeated attack by members of the public on both these grounds. He emphasised to us how such attacks could be extremely vicious. Against that background, the advent of the pandemic added another layer of pressure. It was in that context that his frustration with the technical problems associated with a remote meeting caused him to be so angry.”
The report, published just now, has concluded he must make an apology in the Commons this afternoon, the wording of which will be agreed by the panel. Guido understands it will come around 15.30. #StayTuned…
Guido understands both of Daniel Kawczynski’s Westminster staffers have left his office this week to work for new MPs – jumping ship on the same day. Replacing reasonably long-serving staffers is not the easiest task in the world, replacing an entire office is tougher still. Not the best signal to those looking for a job…