SLEAZE AND

EXCLUSIVE THE recent arrest of a Tory MP on suspicion of rape and sexual assault has rocked Westminster, but it is far from the first such shock.

There have been a series of sexual misdemeanours and crimes carried out by MPs dating back to the Pestminster scandal in 2017 when Parliament was hit by a wave of allegations.

Lib Dem Chief Whip and former police officer Wendy Chamberlain said: “From everyday sexism to egregious cases of sexual assault, too many parliamentarians act with impunity.

“We need a concerted effort to overhaul the culture in Parliament. Too many fundamental requirements are missing – like functioning HR for staff or the knowledge that if you make a complaint, your identity won’t be leaked.”

Shadow Home Office Minister Jess Phillips said: “There is a gap in the process here that, in my view, favours... the individual who is accused, charged or convicted.”

Here is a list of MPs accused of or involved in improper conduct.

IMRAN AHMAD KHAN

The Wakefield MP was found guilty in April of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008. Khan, who has said he will appeal his conviction, was expelled from the Tory Party and finally quit as an MP this month, triggering a by-election. He is due to be sentenced this month.

NEIL PARISH

He resigned in disgrace last month after admitting he watched porn in the Commons chamber.

The Environment Committee chairman said it was a “moment of madness”. He said he previously stumbled on explicit material in the Commons while searching for tractors on his phone. His resignation has triggered a by-election in his Devon seat of Tiverton and Honiton, which has been Tory since it was created in 1997.

KEITH VAZ

He retired as an MP in 2019 after a sixmonth Commons suspension for offering to buy cocaine for male prostitutes. The scandal was exposed by the Sunday Mirror in 2016. Married Vaz claimed to be a washing machine salesman called Jim when the men were invited to his apartment.

ROB ROBERTS

The Delyn MP was handed a sixweek suspension from the Commons last year for sexually harassing a member of staff.

An independent panel ruled he committed significant misconduct and abused his position by making repeated unwanted advances to the man. Mr Roberts was stripped of his Tory Party membership for 12 weeks.

He still sits as an independent as he hasn’t had the Tory whip restored.

ANDREW GRIFFITHS

A family court judge found the former Tory minister raped and abused his wife Kate.

She agreed to be named in reports, despite sex assault victims having a right to anonymity.