Former Cabinet minister Maria Miller: I have been sexually harassed many times
2 min read
Former Cabinet minister Maria Miller has said she has experienced sexual harassment "numerous times".
The chair of the Women and Equalities Committee was speaking as part of a campaign by 5 News called That’s Harassment.
The admission follows calls for Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to be stripped of his honourary CBE over allegations of sexual abuse.
Asked if she had ever been victim to it herself, Ms Miller said “Sexual harassment – of course, we all have.
“I probably speak pretty bluntly to people and it’s not something I would tolerate. But, I think, perhaps, if you haven’t got that level of self-confidence, then you won’t deal with it.
“I think you and I would agree that sexual harassment will happen on a very regular basis to women in the workplace. I mean it would be too numerous to give you an example.
“But, I do think that it’s something that, particularly in very male-dominated industries, women are still experiencing. We should not talk about it in the past tense.”
Mr Weinstein was fired from the board of his own film company over the allegations of inappropriate behaviour - including rape - made by several woman.
Labour MPs, including Jess Phillips and Dawn Butler, wrote to the Prime Minister demanding he be stripped of his gong, which he was awarded for his contribution to the UK film industry.
Theresa May's spokesman said: "The reports over recent days are deeply concerning. Any unwanted sexual activity is completely unacceptable and any allegations should be fully investigated.
"Anyone who comes forward to report these kinds of allegations should be praised for their courage.
"The independent Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases where the honours system is brought into disrepute. Their discussions are confidential."
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