Harassment in politics will take time to address, AM says

Addressing issues of inappropriate behaviour in politics will "take time" the Welsh Assembly's standards committee chairwoman has warned.

Labour AM Jayne Bryant said it was "important to get this right".

She has met the presiding officer and party leaders to discuss their response to recent allegations of harassment.

Ms Bryant told the BBC's Sunday Politics Wales there were cultural issues "not just in politics but throughout society".

As well as developing a respect and dignity policy, the standards committee will look at strengthening the sanctions that could be imposed on AMs in breach of the code of conduct.

"It's really important we get this right," Ms Bryant said.

"We need to take the time to make sure we get this right because we owe it to everyone involved that we do."

The standards committee will also look at making it easier for people to make complaints and intends to develop a point of contact for people wishing to express their concerns.

"There are many reasons why people don't come forward," Ms Bryant said.

"I think that's why we have to create an environment where people feel comfortable and know they're going to be able to complain confidentially, and know that things will be done for the best and be done for the fairness of everybody involved."

Meanwhile, Labour's Mike Hedges and Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas have said AMs who act inappropriately should be suspended from their role and face losing their seats.

The two AMs want rules to be tightened.

Mr Hedges, the AM for Swansea East and a former leader of Swansea council told the programme: "I think if people act inappropriately they should be suspended. I think it's a shame we haven't got a method by which we can remove them from the assembly.

"I think, depending on what people have done... at a council, for example if you get a six month sentence, either suspended or not suspended you automatically lose your seat on the council and a by-election would be called. I'd like to see exactly the same in the assembly.

"Yes, we need censure, yes we need people to be suspended, and there have been actions which people have taken which led to censures which suspension would have been more suitable."

Mr Thomas said he agreed with Mr Hedges and said there were occasions in the past where AMs should have faced "firmer actions".