UK sex toys scandal: May orders probe

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered an investigation into one of her ministers after allegations surfaced about him asking a female assistant to buy “sex toys”, and of his making sexist remarks about her.

The allegations against department for international trade minister Mark Garnier, reported by the Daily Mail on Sunday, prompted an inquiry by the cabinet office and came amid growing concerns about the sexual affairs of MPs.

According to the report, Garnier gave his assistant Caroline Edmondson money buy sex toys for his wife and another woman in 2010. He also reportedly made sexist remarks about her.

The cabinet office inquiry was announced by health secretary Jeremy Hunt during a BBC interview: “The stories, if they are true, are obviously totally unacceptable and the cabinet office will be conducting an investigation into whether there’s been a breach of the ministerial code in this particular case.”

Hunt also said May would be writing to the speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, “to ask for his advice as to how we change that culture (of sexism)”.

A Conservative Party spokesman added: “Any reports of sexual harassment are deeply concerning and any unwanted sexual behaviour is completely unacceptable in any walk of life, including politics.

“The prime minister is writing to the speaker of the House of Commons calling for a contractually binding grievance procedure for all MPs and their staff.”