Two senior Conservative MPs have written to Conservative Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris to demand a new code of conduct for MPs following the Chris Pincher scandal.
Caroline Noakes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, and Karen Bradley, chair of the Procedures Committee, also said that any Tory MP who is investigated for “sexual misconduct” should be stripped of the Tory whip.
The letter said: “Recent incidents have shown the party’s inconsistent and unclear approach to sexual misconduct cases. The party, and subsequently the government, are at risk of serious reputational damage from the current approach.
“We urge you to act quickly to introduce a code of conduct for all Conservative MPs that is clear about expectations of behavior and that can be applied in a fair, independent manner so as to avoid any suspicion of bias .
“In the meantime, we ask that you use a zero-tolerance policy on these matters and ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted in each and every case.”
“Once the investigation is complete a decision should be made to return the whip, but in the meantime anyone who is the subject of such an investigation should not be allowed to sit as a Conservative MP and represent the party in any capacity.”
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