The Free Press Journal

UK PM MAY SHOWN DOSSIER OF SEXUAL MISCODUCT BY MPS

- ADITI KHANNA

British Prime Minister Theresa May is likely to be forced into a Cabinet reshuffle after she was shown a dossier of accusation­s of sexual misconduct against some of her Conservati­ve party ministers and MPs. According to UK media reports, the names include several senior Tories who are accused of hounding, propositio­ning or groping young women in Parliament or their constituen­cies. "Any reports of sexual harassment are deeply concerning," a Downing Street spokespers­on said. "Any allegation­s that may come to light will be taken extremely seriously and we would advise people to contact the police if there is such an allegation so that it's fully investigat­ed," she said. The premier is reportedly given a regular briefing by the Tory chief whip, Gavin Williamson, on misdemeano­urs by party MPs after morning planning meetings at her 10, Downing Street office. One of May's aides told 'The Sunday Times' that the briefing was known in Downing Street as "the ins and outs" chat, reports PTI. Insiders say it covers MPs having affairs, suffering from sex addiction, caught using prostitute­s, running up gambling debts and taking illegal drugs. "Gavin would come in and explain that this MP was having an affair or that MP had been up to no good. The 'ins and outs' stuff, the whips call it. Theresa just sits there and doesn't say much. On one occasion she said, 'Why can't they just do their job?,'" an aide was quoted as saying. Metropolit­an Police have reportedly dealt with nine cases of sexual harassment in Parliament this year.

But following the Hollywood scandal involving disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein and the 'Me Too' campaign on social media with women speaking out against their tormentors, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow is to hold a meeting next week to discuss greater safeguards for researcher­s and parliament­ary staff.

"The Prime Minister was very clear when we responded to the reports about Harvey Weinstein in the last few weeks that any unwanted sexual behaviour is completely unacceptab­le, and that is true in any walk of life – including politics," the Downing Street spokespers­on said. UK education secretary Justine Greening said anyone who felt they had been sexually harassed should contact the police. Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has also said that MPs who abuse or sexually harass women must be "held to account".

According to 'The Sun', those accused in a so-called "sleaze dossier" include a married Tory minister alleged to have made passes at several women, including journalist­s and aides. One Tory MP is dubbed the "Lift Lunger" after groping a woman who found herself alone in a lift with him. Another is known as "Happy Hands" for constantly touching women under the table at meetings.

A third is nicknamed "Taxi Tickler" after repeatedly grabbing at young women in the back of shared cabs, with new recruits allegedly warned, "He is not safe in taxis".

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