(UK) Senior Tories pressure Johnson to act now on MP accused of watching porn

Source: The Guardian

Senior Tories pressure Johnson to act now on MP accused of watching porn

MPs question why direct action has not been taken, but PM says independent process is needed

Heather Stewart, Jessica Elgot and Aubrey Allegretti
Thu 28 Apr 2022 19.36 BST
Last modified on Thu 28 Apr 2022 23.56 BST

Boris Johnson is under increasing pressure to take immediate disciplinary action against the Conservative MP accused of watching pornography in the House of Commons.

The chief whip issued a statement on Wednesday suggesting the matter should be referred to parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which deals with sexual harassment and other disciplinary matters. But senior Tories questioned why he had not taken action directly against the MP, whose alleged behaviour was witnessed by two female colleagues in recent months.

The identity of the MP is known to party whips, it is understood, but sources denied suggestions the MP was himself a whip.

One cabinet minister described the situation as “madness all round”, while Caroline Nokes, the chair of the women and equalities committee, said: “I hope the chief withdraws the whip. In any other workplace they would be on gardening leave.”

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/apr/28/johnson-must-act-now-on-mp-accused-of-watching-porn-in-commons-starmer