MPs vote for anonymity in sleaze probes
MPs have voted to give themselves anonymity if accused of misconduct such as bullying, expenses fraud or sexual harassment.
And a list of MPs facing investigation vanished from Parliament's website within minutes of the decision.
One of the deleted cases was that of Labour's Keith Vaz, who is accused of bringing the House of Commons into disrepute by buying cocaine for male escorts.
Seventy-nine MPs, including Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, had voted against an amendment tabled by Labour MP Sir Kevin Barron that would have ensured those accused of misconduct would were named publicly.
The amendment had been supported by 22 MPs, who said that giving MPs anonymity until a decision was made would lead to accusations of a cover-up.
Maria Miller, the former cabinet minister who is now chairman of the women and equalities select committee, defended the policy on protecting the anonymity of MPs facing allegations such as sexual harassment.
She said naming the MPs could lead to "idle speculation" about the identity of the victims.
But Jess Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley, said she was not convinced by that argument.
"I worry about the identity of those who come forward being at risk in all such situations, and there are members who have not behaved well in that regard and who have released things about people to try to shut things down," she said.
Mrs Phillips said if criminal courts were able to maintain the anonymity of victims when defendants were named, Parliament should be able to do the same.
After Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom outlined the code to MPs, Sir Kevin warned they could be accused of a "cover up".
Sir Kevin, MP for Rother Valley, said he agreed that issues surrounding sexual harassment and bullying needed confidentiality to make sure people came forward.
He said he had considered the arguments for maintaining anonymity until a judgement had been made, and could understand the thinking behind them.
"We do not think that they outweigh the reputational damage that may arise if we go ahead with this proposal as it is stated.
"It will be presented as MPs trying to cover up their misdoings."
He said preventing MPs under investigation from being named would also make it more difficult for MPs to prove they were not under investigation in the event of false claims or rumours.
