BARONESS Meyer is facing a three-week suspension from the House of Lords after being found guilty of racial harassment.
The Lords’ Conduct Committee concluded she harassed Lord Dholakia, a peer of Indian origin, by calling him "Lord Poppadom" during a visit to Rwanda in February, the BBC reported.
Lady Meyer initially denied the remark but later admitted it, attributing it to tiredness and having consumed “possibly three glasses of wine.” She has since apologised. The report also noted she touched Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy's hair without permission, which made Ribeiro-Addy feel "extremely uncomfortable."
The investigation found Lady Meyer’s actions breached harassment rules with a racial element. Alongside the suspension, the committee recommended she undertake bespoke behaviour training.
Lord Dholakia did not initially hear the remark, but other members of the delegation, including Ribeiro-Addy, confronted Lady Meyer. Conservative peer Lord Greenhalgh expressed disappointment over her comments, calling them unexpected from a colleague.
Lady Meyer, 71, was appointed to the House of Lords by Theresa May in 2018. She co-founded the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and is the widow of former UK ambassador to the US, Sir Christopher Meyer.
In a separate case, the committee recommended a six-month suspension for Lord Stone of Blackheath for bullying security staff. The former Labour peer was found to have used aggressive language, including calling an officer "thick and stupid."
Lord Stone had previously been sanctioned in 2019 for sexual harassment, losing the Labour whip, the BBC reported.
The report noted a continued pattern of poor behaviour, stating that his inability to treat staff respectfully remains "unacceptable."
Peers are expected to vote on both sanctions early in 2025.
Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads guilty to crossbow murders of BBC presenter’s family
A 26-YEAR-OLD man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murdering two daughters of a BBC sports commentator and stabbing to death their mother in a crossbow attack.
Kyle Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28.
However, appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court in eastern England, Clifford changed his pleas.
The court heard that Clifford tied up Louise Hunt, his former partner, binding her arms and ankles with duct tape before shooting her in the chest with a crossbow at the family home last July.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons. However, Clifford denied raping Louise.
The murders took place at the family home in the commuter town of Bushey, near Watford, northwest of London.
Clifford was arrested in July following a manhunt after the bodies of the three women were discovered.
(With inputs from AFP)