Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Sex scandal allegations must be taken seriously, says city MP
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has spoken out about the scandal engulfing Westminster and insists sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.
The Labour member said victims now, unlike in the past, feel they will be taken seriously if they open up and dismissed claims by veteran Tory Sir Roger Gale that there is a witch hunt in Parliament.
But she warned that thorough investigations must be conducted, pointing out that just because an allegation has been made, it does not make it true.
“I think it’s really important we take each case seriously,” she said.
“But we’ve got to remember we don’t know whether these allegations are true. We’ve got to keep an open mind. MPS on both sides have been suspended. We can’t just assume we know the outcome, whatever party they are.
“People want the allegations properly investigated.”
Ms Duffield says the misconduct claims are a good sign that people now feel they will be taken seriously if they speak out. MP Rosie Duffield says people want allegations properly investigated
“Things have changed for the better, I think people felt before that they couldn’t complain,” she said.
“If someone was really badly affected and scarred by something that happened, they should feel they can say something.
“It must be liberating to speak out about something from 20
years ago – you feel you are now being taken seriously.”
Ms Duffield admitted things felt a bit strange at Westminster with some of her Kent colleagues “not around”.
Dover MP Charlie Elphicke was suspended by the Conservatives at the weekend after “serious allegations” that have been referred to the police. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Damian Green, Ashford MP and the Prime Minister’s deputy, is facing pressure to step down after a claim that police found extreme pornography on a computer in his office during a raid in 2008, which he strongly denies.
Defence secretary and Sevenoak’s MP Michael Fallon quit last week, saying his behaviour in the past may have “fallen short” of standards expected in the military.
Herne Bay MP Sir Roger said politicians caught up in the sex scandal are being treated differently to how others in public service jobs, such as the police or Armed Forces, would be and are being written off as guilty before any inquiry has taken place.
The 74-year-old warned the “witch hunt” would affect the future of parliamentary democracy, insisting he is not defending impropriety, but that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
“Just because a person makes an allegation of unwanted sexual advances does not make those allegations true,” he said.
“I hold to the view that historic and unsubstantiated accusations should not be allowed to bring down able people who have in many cases given up a very great deal to serve their country well.
“Properly reported alleged offences warrant full investigation and if proven should result in the ultimate sanction against those found wanting in whatever walk of life.”