Junts MP expelled after her harassment case against party dismissed
Cristina Casol will continue as an independent MP
The executive of pro-independence party Junts has voted to expel MP Cristina Casol from the parliamentary party after her complaint against gender-based harassment was dismissed, according to Ara and confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN).
According to several sources present at the meeting on Monday, the proposal to permanently remove the whip from Casol was approved by 29 votes in favor versus eight against.
The decision will be finalized by the leadership of the parliamentary group, headed by Albert Batet.
Casol has said she will not give up her seat and will remain as an independent MP until the end of this parliamentary term next year.
On January 16, Parliament's Office of Equality dismissed Casol's harassment complaint against her party, citing a lack of evidence, although the report did speak of "sexism" in the workings of the parliamentary group.
The case of Aurora Madaula, who also reported parliamentary harassment, remains pending. She has been on medical leave since, at the end of November, Parliament Speaker, Anna Erra, invited her to "reflect" and step aside.