STANLEY Johnson has been accused of groping two women in separate incidents at Conservative Party conferences.
A senior Tory MP and a journalist allege the Prime Minister’s father touched them inappropriately.
Caroline Nokes said the Stanley Johnson forcefully smacked her on the backside and said she has “a lovely seat” in 2003 ahead of him running to be a Tory MP.
The PM’s father declined to comment about her allegation made to Sky News, other than to say he has “no recollection of Caroline Nokes at all”.
READ MORE: BBC viewers outraged by Stanley Johnson's Newsnight introduction
The allegation prompted Ailbhe Rea, a journalist for the New Statesman magazine, to accuse Stanley Johnson of having “groped” her at the 2019 Tory conference.
Nokes, the chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, earlier suggested that the Prime Minister’s father inappropriately touched her during the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool 2003 ahead of Stanely Johnson running in the Teignbridge seat in Devon in 2005.
“I’ve had male MPs stick their hands on my backside in Strangers’ Bar [in Parliament],” she said during a panel discussion.
“And I can remember a really prominent man smacking me on the backside about as hard as he could and going, ‘Oh, Romsey, you’ve got a lovely seat’.
“Stanley Johnson did that to me ahead of the ‘05 election, so it was Blackpool … 2003/4.
“I didn’t do anything and I feel ashamed by that … now I probably would.”
Responding to the allegation on Twitter, Rea wrote: “Stanley Johnson also groped me at a party at Conservative conference in 2019.
“I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister’s father.”
Stanley Johnson also groped me at a party at Conservative conference in 2019.
— Ailbhe Rea (@PronouncedAlva) November 15, 2021
I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister's father. https://t.co/Uf6lEdatux
READ MORE: Tory MP blocks Boris Johnson's bid to quash sleaze scandal in shock intervention
A Tory minister has now suggested there could be an investigation into the allegations.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds told Times Radio: “I don’t know obviously about the … I’ve heard this morning, as you have, or overnight, about this, about these allegations.
“I can say that, overall, in terms of the safety of women and girls, and being free from harassment wherever they are at home, at work, in the street, and online, this is an absolute top priority for the Government.
“But I’m not joining a link between that and at this because we don’t know, but if there is an investigation to be had, then, of course, that will happen.”
He added: “If there is an investigation to be had, if that is the appropriate course of action, then of course that will happen.”
Stanley Johnson lost the campaign to become an MP in 2005 but had served as a Conservative member of the European Parliament between 1979 and 1984.
Now 81, the PM’s father did not immediately respond when contacted by the PA news agency about both of the allegations.
But, regarding the initial accusation, he told Sky News: “I have no recollection of Caroline Nokes at all. But there you go … and no reply.”
Nokes later thanked those who had supported her since making the allegation.
She tweeted: “Just wanted to thank the sisterhood for the solidarity and support today. You know who you are and you’re amazing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel