RUDD GOES TO WAR ON HER OWN MPS

Home Secretary wants sex pests kicked out of Parliament despite fears Tories may lose majority

SEX pest MPs should be kicked out of Parliament, the Home Secretary suggested yesterday.

Amber Rudd made her comments despite fears a string of by-elections could cost the Government its majority.

She said a review of the rules for dealing with sexual harassment should consider removing guilty MPs from Parliament.

Theresa May was yesterday reported to have put the her party on a ‘state of readiness’ to fight by-elections.

And Labour’s John Mann said the scandal engulfing Westminster would lead to ‘at least 12 by-elections’.

Even with the support of the DUP, Mrs May has a Commons majority of just 13, which would be wiped out if she lost seven seats.

One minister last night warned that the Tories were in ‘no fit state to present ourselves to the electorate’ and said the only consolation was ‘neither are Labour’. Rules to allow MPs to be kicked out between elections would also require a change in the law. Mrs May will try to get on the front foot today with a pledge to ‘act decisively’.

Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry, the PM will acknowledge that the scandal has caused ‘significant public unease’, and admit that parties ‘ have not always got this right in the past’.

She will hold talks on the crisis with fellow leaders today. The move came as:

Government whip Chris Pincher resigned and referred himself to the police over claims he made unwanted advances towards former Olympic rower Alex Story and ‘touched up’ former Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop;

Jeremy Corbyn admitted he knew his friend Kelvin Hopkins had been ‘reprimanded’ for making unwanted advances towards a young female activist when he promoted him to the Shadow Cabinet last year;

Several Tory MPs accused whips of ‘covering up’ allegations of sexual harassment in the past;

The Conservatives launched three inquiries into separate allegations of misconduct by MPs Dan Poulter, Stephen Crabb and Daniel Kawczynski;

The Government’s head of ethics Sue Gray is preparing to quiz former police chief Bob Quick over claims that ‘extreme pornography’ was found on the computer of Mrs May’s deputy Damian Green during a raid in 2008.

Last night Miss Rudd said the scandal should lead to a ‘clearing out [of] Westminster’, adding: ‘I think Westminster, including the Government, will be better for it.’

Meanwhile, Tory MPs rounded on the whips’ office over its handling of the scandal.

Former minister Anna Soubry said that in some instances there had been ‘ covering up, which is totally unacceptable’.

Miss Soubry said she was ‘astonished’ that Mrs May had promoted former chief whip Gavin Williamson to the post of Defence Secretary last week after Sir Michael Fallon’s departure.

One minister said: ‘ What did Gavin Williamson know when he was in post? He looks to be up to his neck in this.’

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said allegations that Dr Poulter had put his hand up the skirts of three female MPs had first been made to the whips seven years ago.

He was later made a health minister.

And a Whitehall source last night said the whips’ office had known ‘for months’ about ‘serious allegations’ against Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, which were finally reported to the police on Friday night. Mr Williamson declined to comment yesterday.

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has said ministers who make women ‘feel uncomfortable’ could face the sack, while MPs could have the whip withdrawn.

But Miss Rudd yesterday said that discipline should go further.

Asked if the Government should consider rules to allow MPs to be booted out, she told Sky News: ‘That is one of the things I would encourage the review to look at.’

‘Clear out Westminster’