The chain of command and reporting procedures for complaints against Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK primarily involve the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (PCS). Here is an outline of the process:

• Initial Complaint Submission: If you wish to complain about an MP, you submit your complaint to the PCS, who is the decision-making authority in these matters.

• Preliminary Assessment: The PCS reviews the complaint and decides whether it should proceed to a formal investigation. The respondent MP is informed if the complaint moves forward.

• Formal Investigation: An investigator interviews the complainant, the MP (respondent), and any witnesses. Evidence such as emails or notes can be submitted. A draft assessment report is prepared with a recommendation on whether the complaint should be upheld.

• Review and Feedback: The PCS reviews the draft report to ensure fairness and completeness. Both complainant and respondent receive the draft to check facts and raise concerns.

• Final Decision: The PCS decides if the complaint is upheld and informs both parties. If upheld, the PCS determines appropriate actions, which may include training or an apology from the MP.

This process is designed to handle complaints related to bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, or breaches of parliamentary standards.

In terms of chain of command, the PCS acts as the central authority for complaints against MPs, rather than a traditional hierarchical chain. This differs from military or organizational complaint procedures where complaints are escalated through successive commanders or supervisors.

For complaints related to payment or claims by MPs or their staff, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) handles these through its Compliance Officer.

In summary:

This procedure ensures complaints against MPs are handled with independence and fairness, outside of a traditional chain of command structure.