No apology from Green over sexual harassment

Damian Green sidestepped a call to apologise on behalf of the government to victims of sexual misconduct in Westminster while standing in for Theresa May at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mrs May’s deputy – who remains under investigation over his own conduct after claims he behaved inappropriately towards female activist – said all MPS, parties and the House of Commons authorities need to ensure Parliament is the “best possible working environment” for “young people to come into”.

But Mr Green stopped short of echoing the Prime Minister’s statement earlier this month when she said: “I’m sorry that we have seen these abuses of power – too many taking place over too many years.” The PM ordered an inquiry last month into allegations against Mr Green, which was widened to cover claims pornography was found by police on a computer in his office.

Labour MP John Mann asked Mr Green, who is First Secretary of State, to “apologise to the victims who Parliament and government have been letting down”.

Mrsmay’sspokesmandid not give a timetable for the completion of the inquiry. The woman who said Mr Green touched her and sent sexually suggestive texts yesterday claimed he also offered her a job, which the First Secretary’s spokesman denied.