Sex pest MPs named in dossier of shame drawn up by fed-up Commons staff
SEX pest MPs have been named in a dossier of shame drawn up by fed-up Commons staff.
Women aides who have been the target of inappropriate advances have circulated a list to forewarn colleagues.
They have identified at least 25 serial offenders and alerted other officials to be on their guard and avoid being alone with them.
Details of the list emerged following revelations that three Cabinet ministers and two members of the shadow cabinet have been reported to the Parliamentary watchdog set up to probe complaints and grievances.
Staff have since been sharing their experiences on a WhatsApp group which have been described as “shocking and depressing.”
One staff member who complained of constant pestering by an MP was advised by colleagues to report him to police.
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The official said he had been touching her and making lewd suggestions so often she was afraid to be left in the office alone with him.
'THREATENING'
An official told her: “He’s clearly behaving in a threatening way and may be guilty of harassment. You should take it to the police.”
One complained of an MP who always stares at her breasts when in a lift – and another accused one of being “touchy” when standing behind her at the Commons bar.
An aide who turned up at her desk in knee-high boots says her MP suggested she might be “kinky”.
A female MP told how a male colleague pointed at the tie on her wrap dress and asked: “What happens if I undo this?”
But the behaviour is not limited to sexual harassment. In another case, a parliamentary aide claimed an MP had offered her a hefty pay rise – funded by taxpayers – on condition she gave a slice of it to him.
Tory MP Caroline Nokes, who chairs the Commons women and equalities committee, said: “It’s time for change at the House of Commons. For too long, women working here in many roles have had to endure the persistent lurid, sexist and inappropriate behaviour of an arrogant minority of men.
“Hardly a week goes by where I don’t hear another example of such unacceptable behaviour.
'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'
“Enough is enough. We need a more robust system of dealing with the menaces in our midst and tougher sanctions for those who cross the line.”
Former health minister Lord Bethell admitted he has often intervened after witnessing inappropriate behaviour in Parliament.
He said: “I’ve seen things that have made me go up to people and admonished them. I’ve seen things that have made me sick to the pit of my stomach, and in any normal workplace will have led to the person being flung out of that role.”
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Ex-women’s minister Anne Milton said the “laddish” culture was stoked up by a “toxic mix of booze and testosterone”.
She added: “It’s all shocking and depressing and itt feels like it has got worse. There a lot of men turning up at press conferences in hi-viz jackets, making references to rugby scrums. It all feels very laddish.”