Which Tory MP has been watching porn in the Commons?
Allegation comes amid sexism row over Basic Instinct claims about Angela Rayner
The Conservative Party is facing a fresh sexism scandal after a Tory MP was accused of repeatedly watching porn on his mobile phone in the House of Commons.
The Mirror’s political editor Pippa Crerar reported that the porn allegations were revealed at a “highly charged” meeting of backbenchers at Westminster on Tuesday night, at which “around a dozen” female MPs “shared accounts of alleged sexism and harassment by their colleagues”.
The party’s chief whip, Chris Heaton-Harris, has asked the witnesses to refer the allegations to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) and said he would take “appropriate action” once any investigation had concluded.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What Crerar described as the “new Tory sexism storm” follows reports that 56 MPs are facing allegations of sexual misconduct. And claims that Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner used a Basic Instinct-style ploy to distract Boris Johnson in Parliament have sparked further anger.
Culprit identified
The porn-watching allegations were reportedly made by a female junior minister and a senior female MP. The Times’ political editor Steven Swinford tweeted that the “two female MPs described different occasions” on which they had spotted a male colleague looking at porn on his phone.
“When they compared notes and spoke to chief whip after they realised it was same individual,” Swinford added.
The Sun said it was “understood that the culprit has been identified”, but that party bosses have “refused to name and shame” him.
The row triggered “fevered speculation” in Westminster on Wednesday, with “several names circulated” and “conflicting information about whether this had been a frontbencher”, said The Guardian.
The Times’ Swinford said that he had been “told categorically” that the culprit was not a minister.
Nicky Morgan, the Conservatives’ former minister for women and equalities, described the allegations as a “jaw-dropper”. She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that one of the witnesses “felt that she was deliberately made to feel uncomfortable”.
Asked if she knew who the culprit was, Morgan said his identity was not “widely known”. She added: “I have heard a name suggested but I have absolutely no idea if it is that person or not and it is not fair to speculate.”
The next move
If the allegations were found to be true, the MP in question could be investigated for a possible breach of the MPs’ Code of Conduct, which states that “members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and never undertake any action which would bring the House of Commons, or its members generally, into disrepute”.
During PMQs yesterday, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas asked Boris Johnson whether he considered sexual harassment to be “grounds for dismissal”.
The prime minister replied that “of course” it was, adding that “sexual harassment is intolerable”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Nigeria's worsening rate of maternal mortality
Under the radar Economic crisis is making hospitals unaffordable, with women increasingly not receiving the care they need
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
'Litigation will not save us from Trump'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published