A TORY Cabinet secretary has insisted there is “no place for pornography in any workplace” after his colleague was accused of watching an X-rated video while sitting next to a female minister in the Commons.
Government chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris has launched an investigation after "sickening" allegations about an unnamed MP surfaced during a meeting of Tory parliamentarians on Tuesday.
One Conservative who was present told the Mirror: “It was like a blood-letting. Everybody was sharing awful stories of what had happened to them in the Commons at the hands of male MPs."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said there needs to be a cultural change in Parliament amid reports that 56 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers, are facing allegations of sexual misconduct referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme.
He also said the unnamed MP should have the whip removed if the allegations are ture.
The Defence Secretary told Sky News: “There is no place for pornography in any workplace. I mean people are there to do their job.”
It was pointed out to Wallace that former Tory minister Damian Green was sacked after an “extensive” amount of pornography was found on his work computer, with the Conservative accused of watching “extreme” content for hours at a time.
Wallace continued: “There is a range of allegations that go right across the House, go right across the parties. This is a problem, I think, about the overall culture of the House of Commons.
“It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads, and it has done for decades, to behavioural challenges … I think it’s really important that we think about ways to change the culture in the House of Commons.”
What does the Defence Secretary make of the Commons porn story?
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) April 28, 2022
‘We all know what happens when you mix long hours, drink and pressure…’
Have a listen 👇#KayBurley SR pic.twitter.com/0hYMUG9ihV
READ MORE: Mail on Sunday editor rejects Speaker's call over Angela Rayner story
The Defence Secretary referred to a separate complaint about a Labour frontbencher, who has been accused by a female colleague of branding her a “secret weapon” because men want to sleep with her. Labour said if a complaint was made about the issue it would be taken “extremely seriously”.
Wallace said the Tory MP who allegedly watched pornography on his mobile phone in the Commons should lose the whip if the claims are correct.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I certainly think they should lose the whip.”
He also said the person “could be subject to a recall petition”, adding: “There are a range of measures, if this is proven then measures and discipline should be administered.”
Rachel Maclean, who is the minister responsible for safeguarding women, said the alleged behaviour was “shocking and unacceptable”, adding that there should be no place for it in the party or in Parliament.
Maclean, who was at the gathering, said that everyone present had been “shocked and horrified” at what they were hearing.
“It’s just gruesome,” she told Sky News’s The Take With Sophy Ridge.
“I’m the minister responsible for safeguarding women and for creating laws which protect women against sexual harassment and violence against women and girls so it is deeply sickening and disgusting to hear that a male MP is watching porn.
“Action needs to be taken and I very much hope … we will see him out of Parliament, out of the party. I hope that’s where we get to.
“Of course, we have to hear the full facts of the case, we’ve only heard one side of the story, but that is already starting to happen.
“It is completely and utterly shocking and unacceptable. There is no place for this in our party.”
Maclean added that she did not know the identity of the MP at the centre of the allegations.
Tuesday’s meeting was reportedly attended by between 40 and 50 Tory MPs, including Heaton-Harris, Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden and Commons Leader Mark Spencer.
The meeting came amid reports 56 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers, are facing allegations of sexual misconduct referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme.
It also follows outrage over The Mail On Sunday publishing “sexist” and disputed claims from unnamed Tory MPs that deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner tried to distract Boris Johnson with her legs during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Johnson told the Commons “sexual harassment is intolerable” and “of course it is grounds for dismissal” when asked about the 56 MPs.
His aides insisted the Tory party does not have a problem with misogyny and sexism.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary said: “You will have heard the PM address this explicitly in Parliament today and over the last few days, saying there is absolutely no place for such behaviour and this cannot be tolerated in any workplace.”
A Conservative whips’ office spokeswoman said: “The chief whip is looking into this matter.
“This behaviour is wholly unacceptable and action will be taken.”
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