Jeremy Corbyn slams Westminster’s ‘warped and degrading’ sexual harassment culture… but his own party braced for at least SIX more claims of abuse by MPs
Labour leader also faces questions of his own about what he knew and when of the allegations around one of his MPs
JEREMY Corbyn has slammed Westminster's “warped and degrading” culture of sexual harassment in a speech this lunchtime.
But it comes as his own party is bracing itself for at least six more claims of abuse by MPs as the sleaze scandal deepens.
And the Labour leader himself is facing questions of his own about what he knew and when of the allegations around Kelvin Hopkins.
The backbencher was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet after complaints were made he “rubbed his crotch” on a young activist.
He denies the claims but is suspended pending an investigation – and is now one of five senior Labour figures under scrutiny.
Ex-frontbencher Clive Lewis is accused of groping a woman, Carl Sargeant has been "removed" from the Welsh Government’s Cabinet, Sheffield MP Jared O’Mara has the whip withdrawn over alleged sexist internet posts, and Bury MP Ivan Lewis denied sexually harassing a 19-year-old girl, but accepted his behaviour to female colleagues had been “unwelcome”.
A spokesman for party refused to reveal whether it was investigating any further complaints, but said it takes “sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously”.
They added: “We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so allegations can be properly investigated. When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the party’s rule book.”
Addressing delegates in Blackpool, Mr Corbyn said Labour is "turning the spotlight on itself".
He will also say a leading barrister has been appointed to investigate "if and how the party got it so painfully wrong" in the case of Bex Bailey, an activist who claims she was raped at a Labour event and was discouraged from reporting the alleged attack after an official said it would damage her career.
It comes after Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said she was ashamed at some of the "disgusting" allegations of sexual abuse in the Labour Party.
And Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for party leaders to agree new independent procedures when they meet next week to discuss how to deal with sexual harassment claims, saying “we have got to tackle it".