Tory ex-minister Dan Poulter probed over allegations he put his ‘hand up women’s skirts’ in the Commons
AN ex-minister was being probed over claims he put his hand up women’s skirts in a Commons lift — as an ex- member of his staff said: “He made my skin crawl.”
MP Dan Poulter, also a part-time NHS doctor, became the first to be investigated by the Conservative Party’s new code of conduct, announced last Friday.
It came as the Westminster sleaze scandal exploded into Tory civil war and as senior ministers were accused of covering up harassment claims and scores of MPs told they risk being chucked out.
Dr Poulter, 39, faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards three female MPs.
A female former member of his staff told The Sun: “He wasn’t particularly pleasant to work for. I wasn’t surprised to see his name on the list (of sleazy MPs). He made my skin crawl.”
Fellow backbencher Andrew Bridgen said he reported concerns over Dr Poulter’s behaviour in 2010, but was ignored.
He wrote in The Sunday Times: “While I appreciate speaking out about an MP in my own party will not make me particularly popular and could damage my own career prospects, I have chosen to do so in the hope it will encourage others, especially those who have been victims of sexual harassment, to come forward.”
He added he was “surprised and disappointed” his concerns were not acted upon and that Dr Poulter was promoted to junior health minister two years later.
A spokesman for Dr Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said he “denies all allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour and will vigorously defend himself against any such claims”.
The spiralling crisis has forced Theresa May to dedicate part of a key speech on the economy to pledge a root-and-branch clean-up at Westminster.
Meanwhile ex-business minister Anna Soubry demanded the PM haul in her Whips to tell her all they know as an explosive tranche of fresh revelations emerged.
She said: “All the stuff they know must be given to the PM and we must do things properly and not behind the scenes — in some instances covering up — which is totally unacceptable.”
Ms Soubry pointed the finger at Gavin Williamson, the former chief whip appointed as new Defence Secretary last week. She said: “It’s difficult to believe the Whips’ office didn’t know much of the detail of these allegations and they probably know more. I am astonished Gavin Williamson was appointed as Defence Secretary.”
She also revealed she was the MP responsible for the downfall of outgoing Defence chief Michael Fallon — explaining how she reported that he had “lunged” and tried to kiss a junior female journalist after a 2003 lunch.
Mr Fallon resigned as Defence Secretary two hours after Ms Soubry told No 10 of the incident last Wednesday.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Westminster will be better after sleazy MPs were cleared out — and that the scandal may lead to greater powers to sack members.
She called Mr Fallon’s behaviour “completely disgusting” and said it was right he quit the Cabinet. And asked if the Commons must review how MPs can be kicked out of office, she said: “That is one of the things I’d encourage the review to look at.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said she was “ashamed of what’s been going on” in the Labour Party and that processes had to change.
She was asked about Bex Bailey, a Labour activist who said this week she was raped at a party event in 2011 and told to keep quiet about it.
Ms Thornberry said: “I am ashamed of what’s been going on and I want us to do something about it. I want stuff happening in my party. [To make sure] there is a process there and people are supported, which is why we’re going to have an independent body.
“It seems to me that we should be looking at the victims of this and we should be making sure that our party responds appropriately.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn defended promoting an MP, despite knowing he had received a reprimand for inappropriate behaviour.
Mr Corbyn finally broke his silence on Kelvin Hopkins, three days after he suspended the veteran over allegations of sexual harassment against 27-year-old activist Ava Etemadzadeh.
Mr Corbyn admitted he was aware Mr Hopkins had sent her suggestive texts when he handed him the job of Shadow Culture minister last year.
But he insisted the complaint against Mr Hopkins had been “closed,” adding: “I thought it was reasonable to appoint him, albeit for a very short time, to shadow cabinet.”
Sex probes... so far
WESTMINSTER has been hit by a string of allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
Here we list the key figures being investigated:
- Mark Gariner - Tory: The International Trade Minister is being probed after he admitted calling his secretary “sugar t*ts” and asking her to buy sex toys.
- Clive Lewis - Labour: Denies allegations he groped a woman at a party conference fringe event. Had earlier told an actor to “get on your knees, bitch”.
- Damian Green - Tory: Accused of touching activist’s knee and sending her a “suggestive” text. “Extreme” porn allegedly found on his computer.
- Ivan Lewis - Labour: Former Labour Foreign Office minister has rejected claims he made non-consensual sexual advances towards women.
- Stephen Crabb - Tory: Former Cabinet minister admits texting some “pretty outrageous things” to a woman, 19, who applied for a job in his office.
- Chris Pincher - Tory: Allegedly tried to molest a Tory activist after plying him with whisky. Also accused of “touching up” ex-Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop.
- Charlie Elphicke - Tory: Party whip suspended after “serious allegations” made to police. Pals claimed he had been “thrown to the wolves” by No10.
- Kelvin Hopkins - Labour: Veteran MP suspended by his party “categorically” denies activist Ava Etemadzadeh’s allegations of inappropriate conduct.
- Sir Michael Fallon - Tory: Journalist claims he lunged at her and tried to kiss her after a lunch. Ad- mits touching broad-caster Julia Hartley-Brewer’s knee.
- Daniel Kawczynski - Tory: Former David Cameron adviser is alleged to have pressured a young researcher to go on a date with a rich businessman.
