Lee Anderson Mandated to Apologize for Swearing at Security Guard

Lee Anderson has been directed to issue an apology for violating Parliament’s policy against bullying and harassment, after twice using offensive language towards a security officer. An inquiry determined that the Reform UK Member of Parliament for Ashfield “verbally insulted” the guard on two occasions when asked to present his pass while attempting to enter the Parliamentary estate in November 2023. Anderson initially dismissed the accusations and characterized the investigation as biased, but he later admitted to using inappropriate language, citing “challenging personal circumstances” on that particular day. Following the decision by the Independent Expert Panel, Anderson offered his apologies to the House of Commons and to the officer, assuring MPs that “such behaviour on my part will never happen again”. The security officer reported that Anderson swore at him, stating “everyone opens the door to me” when requested to show his pass at an entrance to the Parliamentary estate. When the guard reiterated that the pass needed to be examined, Anderson swore again before departing, claiming he had “a train to catch”. Anderson, who joined Reform UK in March after being elected as a Conservative in 2019, initially denied swearing and described the encounter as “just two grown men having a difference of opinion”. Nevertheless, Parliament’s standards commissioner upheld the complaint filed against him. Anderson appealed to the Independent Expert Panel, arguing that “there is absolutely no evidence to prove or disprove” the specific words he used, as the CCTV footage of the incident lacked audio. The panel rejected his claim and instructed him to deliver a pre-agreed apology in the Commons and in written form to the security officer. The panel accepted Anderson’s testimony that he had faced “challenging personal circumstances” on the day and that his “unacceptable behaviour was not planned or premeditated”. In its report, the oversight body highlighted the “power imbalance” between the MP and the officer, reminding that Parliament’s code prohibits the misuse of influence. Addressing the Commons, Anderson stated he accepted the findings “in full and without reservation”. Delivering his statement to Members of Parliament, Anderson said: “I would like to apologise to the complainant and to this House for my behaviour. “Our security staff do an incredible job and should always be treated with the utmost of respect.”I give you and this House my firm assurance that I have learned significant lessons through this process and a firm undertaking that such behaviour on my part will never happen again.”