The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MP faces expulsion if guilty of watching porn in Commons
ATory MP who allegedly watched pornography in the Commons chamber should face an independent investigation, the party’s chief whip has said.
Chris Heaton-Harris called for the case to be referred to Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) which investigates allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.
The disciplinary process could lead to a recommendation the MP is suspended or forced out of the Commons if a complaint is upheld.
Rachel Maclean, the Home Office minister responsible for safeguarding women, called for the MP to be expelled from the Conservative Party, saying the alleged behaviour was “shocking and unacceptable”.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the MP should lose the whip and could face sanctions including the prospect of a by-election if they were found to have watched pornography on their phone in the chamber.
Mr Heaton-Harris called for the independent investigation after the allegations about the unnamed MP surfaced during a meeting of Tory MPs at Westminster.
A spokeswoman for Mr Heaton-Harris said: “Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the House of Commons the chief whip has asked that this matter be referred to the ICGS.
“Upon the conclusion of any ICGS investigation the chief whip will take appropriate action.”
Under the ICGS an investigator would examine the case and Parliamentary Commissioner for
Standards Kathryn Stone would then make a decision.
A sanction would normally be decided by the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which would also hear any appeal.
Only witnesses to the pornography-viewing could make a complaint about the MP under the ICGS.
Mr Wallace said “there’s no place for pornography in any workplace” and highlighted the need for a cultural change at Westminster.
He told the BBC: “I certainly think they should lose the whip.”
He also said the person “could be subject to a recall petition”, adding: “There are a range of measures, if this is proven then measures and discipline should be administered.”
Mr Wallace told Sky News: “This is a problem, I think, about the overall culture of the House of Commons.
“It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads – and it has done for decades – to behavioural challenges.”
He said the mix of long hours, high pressure and alcohol could be “poisonous”, adding: “My advice to any MP is actually avoid the bars... finish a day’s work and go home.”
Ms Maclean, who was at the meeting on Tuesday where the allegations surfaced, said everyone present had been “shocked and horrified”.
“It’s just gruesome,” she told Sky News.
“I’m the minister responsible for safeguarding women and for creating laws which protect women against sexual harassment and violence against women and girls, so it is deeply sickening and disgusting to hear that a male MP is watching porn. Action needs to be taken.”