After being referred by the parliamentary watchdog, 56 MPs were accused of sexual misconduct.
After being referred by a parliamentary watchdog, three cabinet ministers were reportedly accused of sexual misconduct.
According to Sunday Times, 56 MPs, including two shadow ministers, were reported to Independent Complaints and Grievance Schemes (ICGS).
The ICGS is believed to have 70 complaints. It was established in 2018 following the #MeToo movement. This came after sexual misconduct allegations against parliamentarians Charlie Elphicke and Sir Michael Fallon.
The names of the 56 MPs are not known. The watchdog believes at least one complaint related to a criminal offense.
This comes just over one week after Imran Ahmed Khan, the disgraced former Conservative MP, was convicted in 2008 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. This triggered a by-election for his Yorkshire seat, Wakefield. Khan appeals against the conviction.
David Warburton, Tory MP and politician, had his whip suspended earlier in the month following sexual harassment allegations and accusations about cocaine use. He denied the allegations and insisted he had “enormous amounts” of defense.
The ICGS is currently evaluating the complaints against Warburton (a married father-of-two and MP for Somerton/Frome), it is understood.
The FDA union, which represents civil service workers, stated that it was time for an “afresh” look at the employment relationship between MPs. Labour MP Jess Phillips has asked Sir Lindsay Hoyle to convene a panel of MPs and experts to examine the “power imbalance” in parliament.
According to a spokesperson for the government, the Sunday Times reported that they take all allegations of this nature very seriously and encourage anyone with allegations to contact the appropriate authorities.
