By Minister claims she was pinned against a wall by a male MP
A female minister has claimed she was once “pinned up against a wall” by a male MP, as parliament faces mounting scrutiny about harassment.
International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said she had been subjected to misogyny and “wandering hands” multiple times.
A Tory MP was accused earlier this week of watching porn on his phone in the Commons, sparking discussion on the conduct and behavior of male MPs and the working environment for female MPs.
Tory party managers have referred the porn allegations to Parliament’s conduct watchdog, which could launch an independent probe.
Speaking on LBC radio, Ms Trevelyan said she had “witnessed and been at the sharp end of misogyny from some colleagues many times over”.
Asked what form this had taken, she replied: “We might describe it as wandering hands, if you like.
“We might describe it as, you know, a number of years ago being pinned up against a wall by a male MP – who is now no longer in the House [of Commons] I’m pleased to say – declaring that I must want him because he was a powerful man.
“These sorts of things, these power abuses that a very small minority, thank goodness, of male colleagues show is completely unacceptable.”
She added that she had been subjected to “wandering hands” on “probably half a dozen” occasions.
“A couple were repeat offenders – they’ve got the message now,” she added.
Speaking on Sky News, she told male colleagues to “keep your hands in your pockets and behave as you would if you had your daughter in the room”.
Under a Code of Conduct, MPs must behave at all times in their public life “with probity and integrity”.
Members are expected to observe the principles of “respect, professionalism, understanding others’ perspectives, courtesy, and acceptance of responsibility”.
The Code says they should not do anything which would “cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity” of the House or MPs in general.
