It’s a witch-hunt... how can we refute
A VETERAN Tory MP has warned of a witch-hunt at Westminster as accusations of sexual harassment continue to swirl around Parliament
Sir Roger Gale said MPs and other prominent figures were on a “hiding to nothing” as it was difficult to refute claims about alleged incidents years ago.
The comments came as a string of MPs moved to deny allegations of inappropriate conduct.
And shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said she is ashamed at some of the “disgusting” allegations of sexual abuse in the Labour Party.
Giving a hypothetical example of a woman claiming a man kissed her in a lift five years ago, Sir Roger told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “How does a Member of Parliament refute that? It’s a witch-hunt.”
Sir Roger said the way claims were being reported undermined the trust between voters and MPs.
“To sell tomorrow’s chip wrappings on the back of allegations that are unfounded, and to undermine that trust in that way, I think is despicable.”
Ms Thornberry, who said she had experienced inappropriate behaviour, told the BBC: “Some of the things that I have heard in the last week have been so disgusting and I am ashamed that this could happen in the Labour Party.”
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for party leaders to agree new procedures when they meet next week to discuss how to deal with sex- ual harassment claims.
He told the BBC: “We have had one of our members come forward and said that she was raped. That is just unacceptable.
“We have had sexual harassment across all the political parties by the looks of it. We have got to tackle it.”
Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Lord Bewsaid outside bodies needed to be involved in harassment investigations to avoid claims of a cover-up.
He told the BBC: “The parties need to get a grip of this issue of accountability. It’s vital that these things are not seen to be done in-house.
“It is vital that there are people outside Parliament in cases of harassment, and so on, who are there, who can give some reassurance to the public that this is not just another cover-up.”
As Westminster was hit by fresh claims of inappropriate behaviour, three MPs denied wrongdoing.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis denied a claim that he groped a woman at the Labour conference in September after it emerged that the party was investigating a formal complaint against him.
The Sun reports that female researchers and aides in Parliament are using a WhatsApp group to share information about alleged sexual harassment and abuse at Westminster.
Downing Street describes the allegations as “deeply concerning”.
Prime Minister Theresa May urges anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says a “warped and degrading culture” is thriving in Westminster and that MPs who engage in the abuse and sexual harassment of women must be held accountable for their actions.
Four male MPs, including a minister, are accused of harassing or propositioning young women inappropriately, The Times reports.
International Trade Minister Mark Garnier admits asking his
He told the BBC: “I don’t as a rule at packed Labour Party conferences grope people’s bottoms when I greet them. It’s just not how I roll, it’s not secretary to buy sex toys for him and calling her “sugar t**s”, The Mail on Sunday reports.
The Cabinet Office launches an investigation into whether Mr Garnier broke the Ministerial Code.
Mrs May calls for reform of the House of Commons’“toothless” disciplinary procedures.
Commons Speaker John Bercow describes allegations of a “culture of sexual harassment” at Westminster between MPs and their staff as “disturbing”.
Senior parliamentary authorities meet to discuss a new independent helpline to deal with complaints of sexual harassment and abuse at Westminster.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon apologises for putting his hand on journalist Julia HartleyBrewer’s knee 15 years ago.
Mrs May’s spokesman says the what I do.”
The comments came as Labour former Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis denied he had made non-con-