Tory Thomson groped me too, says fellow MP
‘Humiliated and violated’
A TORY MP accused of drunkenly groping men in a Parliament bar is facing fresh allegations from a fellow Scottish MP.
The MP made an official statement to Parliament’s sexual harassment hotline about Ross Thomson last week.
It follows Mr Thomson’s denial that he had acted inappropriately towards young men in the Strangers’ Bar at Westminster, a move which has prompted anger from alleged victims and witnesses.
Witnesses claim the Aberdeen South MP had been groping ‘young men’ in their 20s and 30s in the popular bar two weeks ago.
Police were called after claims of ‘sexual and spoke to the Brexiteer before he was escorted out.
Mr Thomson, 31, has since referred himself for an internal Conservative Party inquiry, with a complaint also submitted to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
It is believed the initial complaint to the commissioner will not be investigated as it was not made by an alleged victim.
But the new complaint, made by a fellow MP, could result in a formal inquiry. This was initially made through the anonymous hotline for harassment complaints – which is then passed on to the commissioner.
The MP who made the complaint attacked Mr Thomson’s ‘brazen and persistent denial’ about his behaviour.
He told the Daily Record that because people felt ‘intimidated, humiliated and violated’ by Mr Thomson’s behaviour, ‘it has now pressed me to move beyond initial attempts to informally raise concerns and to now inititouching’ ate a formal complaint. I hope this will give some reassurance to others who have been affected and have felt less able to come forward formally.’
It is understood the incident took place in December, and that the MP involved was initially reluctant to raise an official complaint.
An investigation could have huge consequences for Mr Thomson’s career if he is found to have breached House of Commons rules.
It is understood he has obtained legal advice this week regarding the allegations against him.
According to sources close to the MP, he has not been informed of any complaints by the commissioner, Kathryn Stone, who will first decide if there is a case to examine. She has the power to trigger sanctions such as a suspension, calling for an apology or insisting on appropriate training.
Serious concerns are passed to the committee of standards, which, if a suspension of ten consecutive days or more is recommended, can look at a recall. This process is a way of forcing members to resign, leading to a by-election if 10 per cent of the electorate in a constituency sign the recall petition.
Last night, a source close to Mr Thomson said: ‘Ross will fully cooperate with any parliamentary inquiry. It would be inappropriate for him to comment at this time.’
Last week, Mr Thomson said he was desperate to tell his side of the story. Speaking to the BBC, he said: ‘I’d be more than happy to sit down at some point to talk to you about exactly about what happened and what the last few weeks have been like; but, given there could still be a really live process on right now, it would be inappropriate to comment.’
He remains ‘committed’ to his work as an MP, saying: ‘Absolutely, which is why I’m more than happy to sit down with you, we will do that. I’m going to talk to people about exactly what did happen.
‘I am committed to my constituents, which is why I’m in the office today working on the issues that are really important to them.’