Labour MP Jess Phillips demands answers from May over Damian Green claims
2 min read
Labour MP Jess Phillips has written an open letter to Theresa May urging her to ensure Damian Green suffers "the consequences" if he is found to have behaved inappropriately.
The First Secretary of State is currently the subject of a Cabinet Office investigation into claims he made advances towards journalist Kate Maltby, as well as allegations that porn was found on a computer in his parliamentary office.
Mr Green strongly denies both sets of allegations and has called the claims from Ms Maltby "untrue" and "deeply hurtful".
In the letter, published in today's Sun, Ms Phillips urges the Prime Minister to throw the book at her colleague and long-time friend if the inquiry does find against him.
"I want us to be able to set the example that no matter who your friends are, no matter what your job is, you cannot treat people as playthings, and if you do you must face the consequences," she writes.
"I expect a standard reply, expressing that you are awaiting the ruling of the enquiry, but what I hope you do is answer me honestly."
She also asks Mrs May to answer a series of questions, including whether anyone linked to Mr Green was behind a newspaper article attacking Ms Maltby.
"Do you think it helps or hinders victims of harassment and abuse for them to be presented this way in the media?" Ms Phillips asks, adding: "I just want to know if you have asked him if he did."
Ms Phillips also asks the PM: "Can you guarantee that your Deputy has never conducted a sexual affair with a woman he was employing or mentoring in the Conservative party?".
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