If a complaint is about you
Being told a complaint has been made about you is hard. Nothing has been decided yet. This page explains what happens and what you can do.
What it means
You are usually told once a Senior Adjudicator has decided the complaint should go to a Complaints Panel, or has proposed dealing with it by a Warning. At that point nobody has found that you did anything wrong.
If you have been suspended while the complaint is considered, that is a neutral step to protect everyone while it is open. It is not a finding against you.
What you can do
- Respond within 10 working days, with any evidence you want considered. If you do not respond, the Panel may decide without your response.
- Ask for more time before the date passes, if you have a serious reason such as bereavement or illness.
- Make a counter-complaint with your response, if you believe the complainant’s own conduct breached the Party’s standards. It is considered as a separate, linked complaint.
- Bring a supporter to a Hearing, and ask for adjustments you need.
- Appeal a decision within 10 working days, on one of the grounds below.
Grounds for an appeal
Disagreeing with the outcome is not enough on its own. An appeal must say that:
- no reasonable decision-making body could have reached the decision;
- the process was seriously compromised by a procedural failing;
- there is new and material evidence; or
- a sanction is clearly disproportionate to the findings.
Following the complaint
Once you have been told, you can sign in with the email address the Standards Office wrote to, to see where the complaint is and what you need to do.
Confidentiality
Please do not discuss the complaint publicly, contact the complainant about it, or ask others to. Doing so can itself be a breach of the Party’s standards.
Support
Being involved in a complaint can be stressful, whichever side you are on. Support is available to all members through HealthAssured on 0800 028 0199.
Questions about the process go to standardsofficer@libdems.org.uk.