Judins rejects claims of violence against Saeima staff member

Andrejs Judins, chair of the Saeima (Latvia's parliament) Legal Affairs Committee and a member of the New Unity party (JV), categorically denies allegations by opposition MP Linda Liepiņa of the Latvia First party (LPV) that he behaved violently toward a parliamentary employee in the committee's premises on 13 October. Liepiņa has asked for an extraordinary meeting of the Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee, while the Saeima administration has begun reviewing the employee's complaint.

Liepiņa's allegations

Liepiņa announced on social media that Judins may have treated the employee violently. She said complaints had been filed with the police and the State Labour Inspectorate. On Thursday, 15 October, she also published her submission to the Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee, asking it to assess possible breaches of the Saeima deputies' code of ethics.

The submission claims that Judins had long behaved rudely and domineeringly toward the employee, that emotional violence was used during the incident, and that her ability to leave the office was restricted. It also says the events caused health problems, including a panic attack and raised blood pressure. The complainant believes his conduct may breach several points of the code, including the duty to be courteous toward Saeima staff.

Judins' explanation

Judins told the LETA news agency that on 13 October he informed the committee employee and the Saeima administration of several mistakes which, in his view, point to insufficient competence. He said some of the errors could have put the legislative process at risk; for example, a discrepancy in bill documents could have led to a proposal adopted in the second reading being ignored.

The deputy stressed that no violence took place and that he merely told the employee of his intention to ask the administration to assess her suitability for the post. He called accusations of violence, mobbing and bossing unfounded and believes Liepiņa is engaged in defamation.

Position of the Saeima administration

The Saeima Administration and Presidium received the employee's complaint on 15 October and will assess the facts it cites, hearing the parties involved. Until the review ends, the administration will draw no conclusions about anyone's conduct. It also stressed that evaluating work quality is part of workplace organisation, while any signal of unacceptable treatment must be taken seriously.

Earlier conflict

This is not the first clash between Liepiņa and Judins: some time ago she demanded a change of the Legal Affairs Committee's leadership, being dissatisfied with Judins' style of chairing it.