Theresa May fears dossier on pervy MPs may force her into an emergency cabinet reshuffle
PM has been shown a dossier on MPs accused of 'hounding, propositioning or groping' young women - and some of them are in her Ministerial team
THERESA May fears the Westminster sex pest scandal may force her into an emergency reshuffle.
The PM has been shown a dossier on MPs accused of hounding, propositioning or groping young women.
It is claimed they include several senior Tories — some in her ministerial team.
International Trade Minister Mark Garnier has not denied calling his secretary “sugar t*ts” and asking her to buy him sex toys.
And ex-Cabinet minister Stephen Crabb sent sexually explicit messages to a woman aged 19 who applied to work in his Commons office.
Mrs May fears the scandal could even trigger her downfall if a resignation sets off a chain-reaction.
Last week she held a meeting with senior aides to thrash out a plan of action if a major figure is outed as a sex pest. A source said: “It’s been an open secret for years that some MPs overstep the mark.
“Party leaders have too often turned a blind eye. The consequences of a major scandal breaking right now are dire.”
Government whips keep a “black book” of sleaze allegations against MPs locked away in a safe.
Those accused in the sleaze dossier include a married Tory minister alleged to have made passes at several women, including journalists and aides. One Tory MP is dubbed the “Lift Lunger” after groping a woman who found herself alone in a lift with him.
Another is known as “Happy Hands” for constantly touching women under the table at meetings.
A third is nicknamed “Taxi Tickler” after repeatedly grabbing at young women in the back of shared cabs. New recruits are allegedly warned: “He is not safe in taxis.”
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Party chiefs were yesterday facing calls to hand over sex pest information to police. Mrs May became embroiled after aides said she sits silently while details are recounted at briefings.
She is now aware that could prompt claims she turns a blind eye to sexual misconduct — even though she has privately expressed her astonishment at the behaviour of some Tories.
Labour MPs are also implicated by the Westminster whisperers — including one ex-member of Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow Cabinet.
- MICHAEL Gove apologised “unreservedly” for joking that being interviewed by Radio 4’s John Humphrys is like being molested by mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Beeb 'pervs'
BBC hosts including Mishal Husain and Victoria Derbyshire have uncovered alleged sexual harassment.
Sports reporter George Riley was reportedly suspended after five women accused him of sexual harassment, some of groping.
Another man is being probed.
A source said it may be “the tip of the iceberg”.
