The Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament, where the scandals arose

A series of allegations concerning the involvement of British politicians in cases of sexual harassment and assault arose in October and November 2017. Allegations were prompted by discussions among junior staff employed in the UK Parliament at Westminster following the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations in Hollywood earlier in October, and the subsequent rise of the #MeToo movement,[1][2][3] but spread further to cover all the major political parties, including political figures beyond Westminster.

Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, asking for his assistance in establishing a "house-wide mediation service" supported by a "contractually binding grievance procedure" that would be available for all MPs. May also stated that current House of Commons disciplinary procedures required urgent reform, for they lacked "teeth".[4]

A spreadsheet that alleged various sexual improprieties by Conservative MPs – listed alongside consensual acts – was published in a redacted form by Guido Fawkes on 30 October 2017. It detailed complaints against 36 individual MPs; the complaints were said to have been compiled by aides working for the parliamentarians concerned.[5] The BBC's then-political editor Laura Kuenssberg described the list as containing "both a mixture of unsavoury allegations, reports of well-known relationships, and some claims that are furiously denied. There is just no way of knowing frankly, how much of it is true".[6]

In February 2020, historical allegations were examined in a report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which claimed that both MPs and the police had turned a blind eye for years.[7]

Conservative Party allegations

Sir Michael Fallon resigned on 1 November 2017

Labour Party allegations

Resulting actions

On 6 November 2017, a meeting took place between leaders of the political parties at Westminster. Theresa May proposed that a new system be set up for Westminster employees, with a hotline for abuse to be reported, and an independent grievance process. Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable described the proposals as "the right first cross-party steps", and Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said that the meeting had been "broadly constructive and helpful" but that "we did not get into much of the detail".[39]

Political scandals beyond Westminster

Scotland

Wales

See also

References

  1. ^ Payne, Sebastian (30 October 2017). "Will sexual harassment in Westminster be as big as MPs expenses?". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. ^ Stewart, Heather (31 October 2017). "Michael Fallon sorry for 'unwelcome' behaviour against female journalist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  3. ^ Cohen, Tamara (4 November 2017). "Sex pest scandal engulfing Westminster 'worse than expenses'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b Heather Stewart and Haroon Siddique (29 October 2017). "Tory minister faces inquiry after getting female assistant to buy sex toys". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  5. ^ "'Parliament sex pest row' as PM vows to take action". BBC News. 1 November 2017. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Calls for change in Westminster culture". BBC News. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Westminster abuse claims: Police and parties 'turned blind eye'". BBC News. 25 February 2020.
  8. ^ a b Stewart, Heather; Mason, Rowena (1 November 2017). "Michael Fallon quits as defence secretary, saying his behaviour has 'fallen short'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  9. ^ Rayner, Gordon (31 October 2017). "Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon admits touching female radio presenter's little finger at a dinner". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Michael Fallon 'apologised for touching journalist's knee'". BBC News. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  11. ^ Doward, Jamie (4 November 2017). "Revealed: why Michael Fallon was forced to quit as defence secretary". The Observer. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  12. ^ Merrick, Jane (4 November 2017). "I won't keep my silence: Michael Fallon lunged at me after our lunch". The Observer. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  13. ^ Hughes, Laura (28 October 2017). "Stephen Crabb sent young woman sexually explicit messages after rejecting her application for role in his office". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017.
  14. ^ Stewart, Heather; Walker, Peter (30 October 2017). "Theresa May to crack down as sex harassment allegations grow". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  15. ^ Walker, Peter (1 November 2017). "Tory ministers hit out at 'malicious' sexual abuse claims against MPs". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Conservative Whip refers himself to police over behaviour claims". The Independent. 5 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Three Conservative MPs referred to party's disciplinary panel just days after it was set up". The Independent. 5 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  18. ^ Rayner, Gordon; Hope, Christopher (20 December 2017). "Theresa May's effective deputy Damian Green quits over pornography cover-up". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Tory MP Charlie Elphicke suspended after 'serious allegations'". BBC News. 3 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Tory MP Charlie Elphicke 'confident' of proving innocence after sex offence claims". Sky News. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Police failed to tell Tory MP Charlie Elphicke about rape claim". The Sunday Times. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. (subscription required)
  22. ^ Greg Heffer (1 November 2017). "Labour investigate activist Bex Bailey's rape allegation". Sky News. Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  23. ^ a b "Labour activist 'warned' about pursuing rape claim". BBC News. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  24. ^ "Bex Bailey: I was raped at a Labour Party event in 2011". BBC News. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  25. ^ Hughes, Laura; Newell, Claire (2 November 2017). "Exclusive: Labour MP suspended after alleged victim tells The Telegraph he sexually harassed her". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017.
  26. ^ Stewart, Heather (2 November 2017). "Labour suspends Kelvin Hopkins over allegations of sexual misconduct". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  27. ^ Wills, Ella (4 November 2017). "Kelvin Hopkins 'absolutely and categorically' denies allegations of inappropriate conduct". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  28. ^ "MP to submit 'unwanted attention' letters". BBC News. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  29. ^ Gillett, Francesca (10 November 2017). "Labour MP accuses suspended Kelvin Hopkins of 20 years of 'upsetting' unwanted behaviour". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Labour investigating claim that Clive Lewis groped woman at conference". The Independent. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Labour MP Clive Lewis denies groping claim". BBC News. 4 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Labour clears MP Lewis of harassment". BBC News. 12 December 2017.
  33. ^ Abbit, Beth (4 November 2017). "MP denies he sexually harassed a teenager - but apologises for behaviour". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017.
  34. ^ "MP Ivan Lewis suspended by Labour". BBC News. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017.
  35. ^ Syal, Rajeev (8 November 2017). "Corbyn aide David Prescott suspended over harassment claims". Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
  36. ^ "EXCL Jeremy Corbyn aide David Prescott returns to work after having suspension lifted". PoliticsHome.com. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  37. ^ Collingridge, John; Shipman, Tim; Pogrund, Gabriel (26 November 2017). "Labour hushes up second 'suicide' after sex claims". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 November 2017. (subscription required)
  38. ^ Elgot, Jessica (26 November 2017). "Labour staff member dies suddenly amid inquiry – reports". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  39. ^ Stewart, Heather (7 November 2017). "Labour urges May to treat sexual harassment consistently across parties". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017.
  40. ^ Harley, Nicola (4 November 2017). "Scottish childcare minister Mark McDonald resigns over 'inappropriate' behaviour". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017.
  41. ^ Andrews, Kieran (5 November 2017). "Parliamentary sexual harassment scandal moves north to Holyrood". Sunday Post. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  42. ^ "Nationalist MSP Willie Coffey 'does not recognise' inappropriate language complaint". 5 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  43. ^ Johnson, Simon (5 November 2017). "Labour MSP Monica Lennon accuses senior party figure of sexual assault as SNP minister resigns". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  44. ^ "Ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond resigns from party". BBC News. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  45. ^ "Alex Salmond charged with attempted rape". 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  46. ^ "Alex Salmond cleared of all sexual assault charges". BBC News. 23 March 2020.
  47. ^ "Minister removed over conduct claims". BBC News. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017.
  48. ^ "Carl Sargeant removed from Welsh Government after allegations". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  49. ^ "Sacked Labour minister found dead". BBC News. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017.
  50. ^ Rawlinson, Kevin; Morris, Steven; Halliday, Josh (9 November 2017). "Carl Sargeant lauded as Welsh first minister prepares statement". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.