The fate of British House of Commons leader John Perko is at stake as accusations mount against him of "covering up" sexual harassment cases of MPs in parliament, prompting some to call for his resignation.
The council will meet next Monday at a potentially crucial session on the fate of Berko, which will discuss the findings of a committee report over the past months investigating allegations of sexual harassment within the council.
Kevin Barron, chairman of the House of Commons Standards Committee, called on Berko to resign after the report concluded that "allegations" of sexual harassment by members of parliament were "tolerated and hidden".
The report, prepared by Laura Cox, 66, found that it would be "very difficult" for "the current senior administration of the House of Representatives," including the President of the Council, to make the changes required.
Berko is unable to deal with a culture of "respect, submission, acceptance and silence" among members of the House of Commons, the British newspaper The Times reported Tuesday.
"The change in culture should come from the top," said Kevin, 71, "and unfortunately I no longer think that Speaker of Parliament, John Berko, is the right person who can lead this change, so he has to resign."
Cox, a retired Supreme Court judge, was charged with investigating harassment in the House of Commons after the 55-year-old Berko, who has headed the council since 2009, has harassed two female employees, but has strongly denied the charges.
"A fundamental and lasting change will require real focus and commitment on the part of the leadership of the House of Representatives," Laura wrote in her report. "It will be very difficult to build confidence" unless there is a radical change.
The report refers to several types of harassment of female employees within the British House of Commons, including "vulgar sexual expressions, inappropriate touching, and kissing and dating".
"This is a harsh condemnation of the leadership of the House of Commons, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives," said Maria Miller, president of the Conservative Women's and Equality Committee, Berko.
In May, Berko survived an investigation by Catherine Stone, the Independent High Commissioner for Standards, on charges of bullying.
