Allegations of bullying in Westminster need to be handled from the top – but that may be the root of the problem

Editorial: The Commons may have reformed itself by introducing new grievance procedures. But while the usual standards of conduct still stand, so too do some of the bad old ways

Home secretary Priti Patel is one of the senior figures accused of bullying (Getty)

Bullying is a form of violence. Sometimes it can go as far as throwing a punch, or worse. Sometimes it accompanies molestation and sexual assault.

More commonly it takes the form of verbal abuse dished out by the powerful to those in a poor position to withstand it. Humiliation, public and private, is painful. This, in turn, can lead to mental and indeed physical illness. It is no less of a beating simply because it is delivered in a soft tone and within the supposedly professional and civilised environment of an office with a somnolent HR department along the corridor. It is unacceptable and, in reality, an ineffective and expensive way of dealing with staff under-performance, real or perceived. Employment tribunals are time-consuming and expensive, even when damages are low.

In any case, bullying and coercion are not justifiable, ever. They are, however, commonplace and, while there are few reliable statistics, it seems unusually prevalent in certain lines of work – the City, journalism and politics.