The government is facing strong pressure from its own lawmakers and opposition parties to take action against misogyny and harassment in Westminster after a top minister denied institutional problems, saying the issue was simply “some bad apples”.
A day after Conservative MP Neil Parish resigned from pornography in the municipality and allegations of seemingly endemic sexual misconduct surfaced, a former Tory minister said Quasi Quarteng’s comments “rejected and belittled” the experience of women MPs.
Labor warned that the toxic culture in Westminster was exacerbated by Downing Street inaction, while Deputy Leader Angela Raynor wrote to Boris Johnson about reports that a Sexist of the Year award was being given at a number 10 Christmas party.
Quarteng, the business secretary, faced significant criticism after rejecting the idea of inherent sexism in parliament, arguing that the problems were caused mainly by long hours and overwork and that very few lawmakers had committed crimes.
“I don’t think there is a culture of misogyny,” he told Sky News. “I think the problem we have is that people work in a really intense environment, they have long hours, and I think most people generally know their limits.”
Speaking to Times Radio later, he said the problem was “some bad apples” that should be punished, adding: “But that doesn’t mean the whole culture is extremely misogynistic or full of men’s rights. I don’t admit that. “
Caroline Knox, the former Tory minister who chairs the Committee on Women and Equality, said Quarten’s opinion contradicted the testimony of many lawmakers.
“Colleagues shared examples of the aggressions and micro-aggressions they face every day, and this was rejected by a senior cabinet member as a result of long work,” she said. “Again, the experience of women MPs is rejected and downplayed. This in itself is a classic example of institutional sexism.
Wendy Chamberlain, the main whip of the Liberal Democrats, said Quarteng was “deluding himself.” She said: “These are not a few bad apples, this is a crop that has rotted to the heart. That same week, when two of his deputies resigned and his colleagues complained, the worst thing he could do was belittle and reject this.
Keir Starmer claims that with a series of cases of misconduct, the government has either tried to ignore the problem or postpone any stable action, saying that “their first instinct is to push it into the long grass, to hide what is happening”.
“This is a political problem because the fish is rotting from the head and there must be political leadership in this as well,” he told Sky News. “And we haven’t seen that from the Conservative Party yet.”
Sign up for the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BST
The top Tories are pushing for more women MPs, but Quarteng has said he is not a fan of quotas to increase their numbers.
Speaking to LBC Radio on Sunday, senior Labor MP Chris Bryant said that when he was first elected in 2001, he was “regularly touched by older, senior gays – they were not out – MPs” , adding: “I never felt I was able to report on it, because you are part of the story after all, that’s the last thing you want.”
The Sunday Times reported a series of allegations, including that an MP was accused of licking the faces of male researchers in bars; that a Tory MP was sent a “pizza photo” by a colleague; and that another MP had been warned about its use by sex workers.
The mayor, Lindsay Hoyle, suggested that one way to protect staff is to change the current system, where MPs hire staff directly, instead of doing it centrally. He said he was considering an outside body to hire assistants as he moved to organize a “conference of presidents” bringing together lawmakers to discuss major repairs.
In Raynor’s letter to Johnson, she asked for details of another claim in the Sunday Times that at a party on Downing Street in December 2020, an aide received the “Sexist of the Year” award.
Raynor also asked if this had been reported to Sue Gray, a senior government official investigating alleged gatherings that violated the blockade, in parallel with a police investigation.
You claimed in the minutes this week that there was “no room” for sexism in politics, but there are serious and credible allegations in the Sunday Times that the sexist behavior not only took place in your own office, but was also celebrated and awarded, “Raynor wrote.
“Ultimately, you are responsible for the culture and activities that take place on Downing Street under your administration. If true, these accusations not only contradict your claim to oppose sexism, but set a terrible example and should lead to further action.
The furor over institutionalized sexism in politics began a week ago with a much-criticized article in the Mail on Sunday, quoting unnamed Tory lawmakers who said Raynor would cross and cross his legs during the prime minister’s questions to distract Boris Johnson.
The newspaper jumped in its own defense this week, insisting that Raynor was the source of the anecdote and that he had been unfairly targeted by opponents of the free press. A Labor source said: “The vile assumption that Angela Raynor initiated the sexist slander against her must be a nasty joke.
Leaving Parish will pave the way for further elections at the Tories’ safe seat in Tiverton and Honiton, and he is still facing an investigation by the Independent Complaints and Complaints Scheme (ICGS).
This was the latest in a series of horrific events that have plagued municipalities in recent weeks.
Senior Labor MP Liam Byrne will be removed from the municipality for two days for harassing a staff member; David Warburton withdrew the Conservatives’ whip after allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use; and former Tory Imran Ahmad Khan resigned after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
The ICGS told lawmakers it “sees a similar trend” from the previous year, when lawsuits were filed against 15 lawmakers.
Add Comment