Sex-claim MP in row over ‘rude’ art on office wall
AN EX-Health Minister accused of sexual harassment is embroiled in a bizarre row with Whitehall over a picture on his old office wall that resembled a woman’s genitalia.
Visitors to the office of Dan Poulter, an NHS gynaecologist, say they were shocked at ‘Bios And Pollination’ by Polish artist Tadek Beutlich.
The picture, picked from works in the Government art collection, was removed from Dr Poulter’s office after he quit as Health Minister. One official tried to stop TV interviews in the office for fear viewers would mistake the picture for a sexually explicit image. A Government source said: ‘From a distance it looked very rude.’
A spokesman for Dr Poulter said the MP was not interested in art and had nothing to do with it. But the Health Department appeared to contradict his account, saying: ‘Ministers choose art for display in their office from a selection provided by the Government art collection.’
Dr Poulter, 39, was referred to the Tory Party’s disciplinary committee earlier this month after he was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ against women MPs.
He vehemently denies any wrongdoing.