PARLIAMENT needs “radical reforms” to its working practices, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsey Hoyle said yesterday, following a series of bullying and sexual misconduct scandals involving MPs.

Neil Parish bowed to pressure to resign as MP for Tiverton and Honiton on Friday, after viewing the material in the chamber during a “moment of madness.”

The 65-year-old said he first accidentally viewed porn after looking at tractors online, before later acting deliberately.

And yesterday, the Sunday Times carried a report describing drunken and disorderly behaviour in the Commons, including a senior MP accused of repeatedly licking the faces of researchers in parliamentary bars.

A minister being overheard frequently having “noisy sex” in his parliamentary office, an MP being warned over his use of prostitutes and a female Tory being sent a “dick pic” by a colleague were also detailed.

Calling for urgent action, Sir Lindsay suggested members’ staff should no longer be directly employed by the parliamentarians they work for and was considering their employment by an external body, in order to address a series of “serious allegations” as Parliament’s reputation was feared to have hit a new low.

MPs’ direct employment of their staff has been criticised by unions including the GMB.

Writing in the Observer, Sir Lindsay said: “In my opinion, it is time to consider radical action, and review structures and processes that could make a difference.

“Some serious allegations have been made, and we must address them as a matter of urgency. It is imperative we do the right thing by staff and MPs as well.

“At the end of the day, I want to make sure that everyone feels they have support and somewhere to turn — and to make this house not only a safe and inclusive place to work, but a model for other legislatures.”

He is looking to establish a “speaker’s conference,” bringing together MPs to discuss changes.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng denied yesterday that there is a culture of misogyny in Parliament, instead pointing to a few “bad apples.”

The cabinet minister insisted it is a safe place for women to work, despite recent scandals triggering many in Westminster to speak out.

And senior Conservative Caroline Nokes, who chairs the women and equalities committee, accused the Tories of “institutional sexism.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he will participate in the Speaker’s conference, and called for “political leadership” from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to fix the problem “because the fish rots from the head.”