The Conservative Chief Whip, Chris Heaton-Harris, has launched an investigation into the reports of an unnamed frontbench MP watching pornography in the Commons Chamber.

The allegation was made at a meeting of female Tory politicians to complain to Heaton-Harris about sexism and inequality in Parliament.

It has been reported that the MP accused was watching the pornographic content next to his female colleague in the Commons, which a second member present at the meeting corroborated.

The claims did not stop there, as the Tory MP has been accused of doing so before in Parliament, whilst also viewing such content during a Commons Committee hearing.

A spokesperson for the Whips said: “The Chief Whip is looking into this matter.

“This behaviour is wholly unacceptable and action will be taken.”

The meeting of around 12-14 female MPs also discussed and called for further action in respect of the three Cabinet Ministers who are reportedly facing inquiries over inappropriate sexual behaviour.

It has also been reported in The Sun that multiple female MPs stood up to tell of their experiences and one left in tears.

Tory MP Pauline Latham spoke to GB News to demand that the person responsible resign for their inexcusable actions:

“They should go. That will mean their ministerial career is absolutely shot and their parliamentary career probably.

“It’s just not excusable in any way. It’s totally shocking.”

Boris Johnson was questioned during Prime Minister’s Questions as to whether his party was taking sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour seriously, and whether it was deemed sufficient to dismiss the MP:

“Of course, sexual harassment is intolerable and it is quite right that Members should now have a procedure by which they can bring that to the attention of the House authorities. And I think that is a good thing, and of course it is grounds for dismissal.”

Former Prime Minister Theresa May is also said to have attended part of the meeting of the group, known as “The 2022”.

The complaints of inappropriate behaviour are stacking up, with 56 MPs, including three Cabinet Ministers, facing allegations of sexual misconduct that had been referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme.

Northern Ireland Minister Conor Burns told BBC Politics Live that the alleged actions would have been simply wrong:

“I’m not going to even attempt to defend it. If the facts are established, then action should be taken decisively.”

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker for the Commons has also said he will launch a review into working practises in Parliament after various cases of misconduct.

Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith is a Journalism student at Nottingham Trent University whose interests include politics and sports. His writing mainly covers both topics.

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