Corbyn speaks out against Westminster harassment
2 min read
Jeremy Corbyn will today condemn a “warped and degrading culture” that allows sexual harassment, including at Westminster.
Four unnamed male MPs were today accused of sexual misconduct: they are believed to have harassed or inappropriately propositioned young women.
Mr Corbyn will tell the Unite union's Scottish policy conference. ""Misogyny and sexism are widespread problems across society. It's a warped and degrading culture that also exists and thrives in the corridors of power, including in Westminster."
He will say that MPs who harass women must be “held to account”.
His comments follow yesterday’s statement from Number 10 that allegations of abuse at Westminster would be taken “extremely seriously”.
That was in response to revelations of a WhatsApp group set up by staff to warn others about the behaviour of certain MPs, including cabinet ministers.
Police have been called to Parliament to deal with harassment claims nine times in 2017.
Labour’s John Mann said there were “serious allegations” being made, adding “People in Hollywood have been getting away with things and people here have been getting away with similar things and that’s not good enough.”
Sir Alistair Graham, the former head of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, urged the Speaker to investigate: “I would have thought the Speaker and Speaker’s committee, which senior politicians sit on, could examine that issue and see what appropriate action could be taken.”
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