Minister for women backs call for MPs to be given consent training

Minister for Women Anne Milton has backed calls for MPs to receive consent training in the wake of the Westminster sleaze scandal.

The Conservative frontbencher also said she did not believe the House of Commons to be “sexist” when she first arrived but that it “just smells of boys a bit”.

Shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler told the same parliamentary debate that a “tipping point” in all industries and sectors has been reached, adding: “Now is the time to act.”

Ms Butler told the Commons that Speaker John Bercow had also agreed with suggestions that the Houses of Parliament should centrally provide training on sexual harassment, unconscious bias and other areas.

The duo’s frontbench speeches came during a parliamentary debate on sexual harassment and violence in schools, which saw Labour’s John Mann (Bassetlaw) speak of the need for consent training.

He said: “I think that we should have, here, that training.

“We men in here should have that training as well, I think that should be compulsory as a requirement for sitting as a Member of Parliament.”

Replying for the Government, Ms Milton encouraged MPs – including Labour’s Jess Phillips (Birmingham Yardley) – to “keep on believing that things will change” amid frustrations over what is happening despite their campaigning to change attitudes and behaviour.

Ms Milton said: “We won’t give up.”

Turning to Mr Mann, the minister said: “Training on consent in schools, in universities, and he is absolutely right, we clearly need training about consent in this place as well.”