Two more Tory MPs cleared after sexual harassment claims
2 min read
The Conservative party has cleared both Stephen Crabb and Chris Pincher of allegations of sexual harassment, after they were referred to party chiefs during the Westminter sex scandal.
Mr Crabb and Mr Pincher had both been referred to the party’s new disciplinary board over allegations they had engaged in sexual harassment.
A former cabinet minister, Mr Crabb resigned from the Conservative party leadership when sexually explicit text messages between himself and a young woman emerged.
The married former Work and Pensions Secretary, who is a devout Christian, admitted texting the 19-year-old woman but the party ruled the behaviour “did not constitute harassment”.
At the time, he said he had been foolish to engage in “sexual chatter”. “We exchanged messages about sex but none of it was meant seriously,” he said.
A Conservative spokesman said that Mr Crabb had been rebuked over the new allegations but cleared of harassment: “A panel headed by an independent QC concluded that Mr Crabb’s behaviour did not constitute harassment.
“However, it found that his behaviour in this matter was inappropriate and fell short of the standards the party expects. He has accepted this unreservedly and has made a full apology.”
Chris Pincher stepped aside from the Whip’s office when Alex Story, a Conservative activist and former Olympic rower, had acted “like a Pound Shop Harvey Weinstein” and made an unwanted pass at him during a drinking session in 2001, before he was an MP.
The MP for Tamworth referred himself to the disciplinary board and police after the allegations were made but said he did not recognise the report of himself.
A Conservative spokesman said: “A panel headed by an independent QC considered the evidence and has concluded there has not been a breach of the code of conduct.”
A senior party source said that Mr Pincher was likely to resume his duties as a whip in the new year.
Two other Conservative MPs, Dan Poulter and Daniel Kawczynski, are still being investigated.
Another, Charlie Elphicke, had the whip suspended and was reported to police over “serious allegations” last month.
The Labour MPs Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis remain suspended from their party pending the outcome of inquiries.
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