Three cabinet ministers and two shadow cabinet ministers are ‘facing allegations of sexual misconduct’ and are among 56 MPs to have been reported to parliamentary watchdog since 2018
- Complaints filed to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS)
- There are reportedly around 70 separate allegations against 56 different MPs
- They range from inappropriate comments to one alleged bribe for sexual favours
Three cabinet ministers and two shadow cabinet ministers are facing sexual misconduct allegations, it has emerged tonight.
The unnamed ministers are among 56 MPs who have been referred to the new parliamentary watchdog set up in the wake of the #MeToo scandal, reports the Sunday Times.
The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is said to have received more than 70 separate complaints since 2018.
The claims range from sexually inappropriate comments to at least one allegation of an MP bribing a member of staff in return for sexual favours.
It comes just weeks after disgraced Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy, 15, back in 2008.
Conservative MP for Somerton and From David Warburton also had the whip suspended earlier this month after it emerged he was being probed for alleged sexual harassment.
The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is said to have received more than 70 separate complaints since 2018. (Pictured: Houses of Parliament)
The unnamed ministers are among 56 MPs who have been referred to the new parliamentary watchdog set up in the wake of the #MeToo scandal, reports the Sunday Times. (Pictured: Disgraced Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan, who was convicted this month of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008)
Those allegations are being investigated by the ICGS.
Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union, which represents civil servants, told the Sunday Times: ‘While some of the procedures for raising complaints have improved, the fundamental balance of power between MPs and the staff they employ has not.
‘Where that exists it will inevitably be exploited, either by those who do not have the skills to manage staff effectively, or those with more malevolent intent.
‘It can come as no surprise, therefore, that if the circumstances that allowed bullying and harassment to flourish have not changed fundamentally.
‘Parliamentary authorities need to address the fundamental causes of bullying and harassment, rather than simply rely on an enforcement mechanism that only protects those who feel able to raise complaints.’
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