Upskirting ban

SIR – Sir Christopher Chope has blocked a move which would make “upskirting” a criminal offence (report, June 16).

Are we to conclude that he agrees with the perpetrators of this disgusting act that it’s just a bit of harmless fun? Is this what Conservatives think about the harassment of women?

I can’t see his actions persuading many young (or old) women to vote Conservative in future elections. His one word – “object” – has done more harm than he might realise.

Myra Spalton

Macclesfield, Cheshire

SIR – Your front page (June 15) reported the announcement on Thursday by Lucy Frazer, the justice minister, that taking “upskirt” photographs was to be made a criminal offence to fill a gap in the law.

Was I alone in expecting the Government to bring forward a Government Bill in Government time to deliver that change in the law quickly, but with the opportunity for it also to be fully scrutinised in Parliament?

It now seems that the Government hoped to use the procedure for Private Members’ Bills to avoid a second reading debate and then use its newly claimed right to give the “upskirting” Bill priority over other Private Members’ Bills which have already been approved at second reading after full debate, but to which the Government has so far denied the opportunity for a committee stage. The Government should not be further undermining the principle of first come, first served for balloted Private Members’ Bills.

My recommendation to the Government is that, to ensure the fastest, fairest and surest passage to the statute book for a Bill to outlaw “upskirting”, which I wholeheartedly support, it introduces its own Bill without delay.

Sir Christopher Chope MP (Con) London SW1