Women’s charities and unions representing parliamentary staff have called on parliament to bypass the Conservatives’ disciplinary procedures and suspend the Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape.
Boris Johnson caused outrage over the weekend after the party refuse to suspend the MP, who has not yet been named but is reported to be a former minister.
A joint statement by the TUC, Centenary Action Group, The Fawcett Society, Women’s Aid and unions representing parliamentary staff (Unite, Prospect, PCS and FDA) said sexual assault and harassment was “endemic” in parliament, as in other workplaces.
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“Given the seriousness of the allegations we’re calling on parliament to suspend the MP arrested on suspicion of rape, pending a full investigation. The House of Commons should be no different from any other workplace,” the statement says.
“Safety and the safeguarding of staff must be paramount. Failure to suspend is yet another example of minimising violence against women and girls and failure to believe victims and survivors when they bravely speak out.”
The groups warned that the “case clearly shows that party politics is still interfering in justice and fairness”.
A suspension of the Tory whip would remove the MP from the Conservative parliamentary caucus, but parliament could use its own powers to simply suspend the MP from the chamber altogether. Parliament is currently in its summer recess and not meeting until September.
In a statement, the Conservative Party had said it takes “all allegations of this nature extremely seriously” but refused to comment further on the matter.
A spokesperson for the Conservative whips’ office added: “These are serious allegations and it is right that they are investigated fully. The whip has not been suspended.
“This decision will be reviewed once the police investigation has been concluded.”
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The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into four alleged incidents between July 2019 and January 2020, said to have taken place at different locations in London.
A spokesperson for the police said “a man in his fifties” had been taken into custody early on Saturday and was detained at a police station.
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A circus performer from the Association of Circus Proprietors in Whitehall, London. The association handed a petition to Downing Street to ask Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow circuses to reopen
EPA
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Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, which re-opened to the public after being closed due to the coronavirus lockdown
PA
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PA
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(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill attending the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey in west Belfast
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Police at the scene of an incident at the Park Inn Hotel in central Glasgow. Scottish police said armed officers shot dead a man after a suspected stabbing in the city centre left six others injured, including one of their colleagues. Several roads were closed and the surrounding area was cordoned off
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Tony Bennett the owner of The Devereux pub in Temple, London. Pub and hospitality bosses have cheered the Government’s proposals to allow customers through their doors again on July 4 as “a welcome relief”. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 23, 2020. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that pubs, restaurants and cinemas will be able to reopen from July 4, with “one metre-plus” distancing measures in place
PA
44/50 22 June 2020
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PA
45/50 21 June 2020
Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton v Liverpool – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – June 21, 2020 Children play football outside the stadium before the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Action Images via Reuters
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Arsenal’s midfielder Nicolas Pepe kneels before the Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium in southern England
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50/50 16 June 2020
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PA
The spokesperson said: “On Friday 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.
“These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020. A man was arrested on 1 August on suspicion of rape.”
