The Sunday Times alleged today one MP got so drunk on champagne at a posh parliamentary bash they had to be escorted out, while in a separate incident a female researcher got so drunk she vomited in a Commons' bar and was later found passed out. The new claims come after previous allegations of boorish and misogynistic behaviour by male politicians, including likening female MPs to sex workers because of the way they are dressed.Ĭommons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle today called for 'radical' reform to working practices, including ending the direct employment of aides by MPs, to make it easier for them to make complaints without fear of losing their jobs. His bid for change was echoed by Andrea Leadsom, the former leader of the Commons, who in 2018 spearheaded the creation of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which looks into claims of bullying and sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden reiterated a commitment from Boris Johnson to ensure half of Conservative candidates for the Commons are women. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Dowden said the Tories need to ensure their candidate list 'reflects the fact that half the population are women'.īusiness Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng today denied there was a 'culture of misogyny' in Parliament. He blamed bad behaviour on 'a few bad apples' and told Sky News: 'Generally, most MPs have a sense of responsibility. in some instances people do act irresponsibly.'Īnd he said shutting Parliament's bars to tackle sexual misconduct and sleaze would be 'excessively puritanical'.Ī former Conservative minister warned a newly elected Scottish MP which 'predatory' men to avoid in Parliament.Īnum Qaisar, who was elected SNP MP for Airdrie and Shotts in May 2021, said she was told by opposition MPs which men to avoid in Parliament. She told Sky News that a former Conservative minister approached her at a parliamentary event after noticing she was uncomfortable with a male politician being 'too cavalier'. She said: 'Despite the fact we have this horrific, toxic culture in Westminster, it's women looking after women.
'Since I joined Parliament, I've been taken aside by female MPs to warn me about some male MPs who say ''Actually, Anum, you're probably better off staying away from X, Y and Z''.
'In my situation, I was at a parliamentary event and a certain male MP made a beeline for me. I started to feel really uncomfortable because he was being far too over-cavalier. Mr Kwarteng also did not back all-women shortlists for parliamentary candidates, telling Sky News: 'I've never been a fan of quotas but I think we should do all we can to encourage more women to come into politics and from diverse backgrounds.' Do you want to stay with me? You're probably best just to stay away from that person''.' 'It was actually a Conservative MP - a former minister - who took me aside and said ''Look, it seems like you feel uncomfortable.