Ex-Tory MP Aaron Bell Found Guilty of 'Brazen' Sexual Misconduct

Aaron Bell, former MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, was reprimanded for abusing his position of power by inappropriately touching a young woman without her consent in a parliamentary bar.

An independent panel determined that Aaron Bell committed serious sexual misconduct by groping a female staffer in the Strangers' Bar in December 2023.
The investigation found Bell, who was an assistant government whip at the time, abused his position of power, exacerbating the seriousness of his actions.
Bell admitted to being 'clearly drunk' during the incident and offered an apology, but he disputed some of the specific allegations and claimed there was mutual flirting.
The panel concluded that had Bell still been an MP, he would have faced a significant suspension from Parliament and potential removal of any former MP privileges.
Bell chose not to appeal the findings and cited the investigation as a reason for not seeking re-election, while also apologizing to his constituents and family.