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THE SPEAKER OF UK’s House of Commons condemned “disturbing” allegations of a culture of sexual harassment in parliament today as he urged political parties to swiftly address the issue.
John Bercow opened an emergency debate sparked by weekend newspaper revelations about the behaviour of MPs and ministers towards staff, warning there must be “zero tolerance of sexual harassment or bullying”.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who sat in on the debate, had earlier written to Bercow calling for tougher rules on MPs’ conduct after one of her ministers was accused of asking his secretary to buy sex toys.
May has ordered an investigation into the behaviour by international trade minister Mark Garnier, who is also accused of calling his now former aide “sugar tits”.
However, MP after MP stood up in the chamber today to warn that the problem was deeply rooted in the culture of Westminster.
A list of 13 MPs accused of harassment has reportedly been circulating in Westminster in recent days, following renewed scrutiny in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood.
The Guido Fawkes political blog meanwhile said it had a list compiled by researchers of 36 MPs accused of “inappropriate sexual behaviour”.
Opposition Labour lawmaker Harriet Harman, an equalities campaigner who called the debate, said it was a “good thing” that it was now being discussed.
“No one should have to work in the toxic atmosphere of sleazy, sexist or homophobic banter,” she said.
This is not hysteria – this is something which is long overdue for all the parties in this House to deal with.
Used for leverage’
May’s spokesman said she had not seen any list of names but refused to comment on discussions she may have had about similar behaviour with the whips who enforce discipline in her Conservative party.
The prime minister’s former director of communications, Katie Perrior, said whips often held such information secret as leverage to make MPs vote a certain way.
“They use that to make sure that MPs know that other people within the party know exactly what they’re up to, and that behaviour either is not acceptable, or indeed it will be used against them,” she told BBC television.
May had urged the Speaker to help establish a new compulsory grievance procedure to replace the current voluntary system, as well as a new mediation service to help protect staff working for MPs.
One of her ministers, Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom, warned that perpetrators could be sacked.
“In the case of MPs they could have the whip withdrawn (suspended) and they could be fired from ministerial office,” she said.
However, while Bercow said he would consider the proposals, “in the first instance I hope that parties will live up to their responsibilities”.
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To the crew “Don’t worry, you’ll still get paid” To the instigator “I’ll shoot you!”
Yes the ultimate tool in the HR manual, somethings NEVER change, no matter how you can spin a training seminar out of it.
It is debated that an Irishman discovered Antarctica.How many people knew that.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bransfield
It’s a disgrace that Tom Crean doesn’t get the recognition in Ireland today that he deserves. A true Irish hero.
The media is too busy hero-worshippng some guy in a dress.
True Jon, Crean was a true Irishman and a real adventurer.
Leave the pope out of this.
A wonderful story never tire of hearing about these amazing men… And he had an Irish man in his crew..!
A great story. Another great is the story of George De Long and his attempt in 1879 to reach the north pole in the USS Jeanette. He had two Irish on board, Cole and Collins. That story is brilliantly told in a book called In the Kingdom of Ice. Like Shackleton’s crew, they were hardy men.
He had two Irish men in his crew. Tim Mccarthy from West Cork was the other one. He rarely gets a mention even though he was one of the six who made the 800 mile open boat journey to South Georgia. That’s considered one of the most remarkable parts of one of the most remarkable survival stories of all time, and three if the six crew were Irish.
Ernest Shackleton came from Kildare. So I read. Wonderful clear video footage of them trying to free the ship endurance from the North Atlantic Ice. Tom Crean unforgotten Kerry Man.
It’s very sad they’re mostly forgotten about. Brave men, the real spirit of adventure. They don’t make them like those guys anymore.
Enda Kenny is our Shakelton, fearlessly pulling Ireland out of the worst recession in decades despite attempts within the ranks to topple him. Actually, he’s not, I’m just winding you up.
Give it a rest, you bore.
“After thier ship sank in november 2015″ try proof reading before ye post
And Roald Amundsen reaching the south pole in 2011
‘Chilean steamer Yelcho returns to Elephant Island to pick up Shackleton’s remaining crew – in August 2016′
So 2011 when the south pole was reached by Amudsen, 4 years before Shackleton’s boat sank in November of this year? I believe Shackleton was a stickler for the fine details…I am not sure you would have made his crew Darragh.
@Fergal
If he were born in England and moved to Ireland at the age of 10, we’d still call him Irish.
Elephant Island is an island, not a rocky outcrop. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Island
Some relation of his was a suspect in the robbing of the Dublin Crown Jewels , that would make him irish ,do you think
Was Shackelton irish ?
Born in kildare lived there until he was ten his father was english and his mother anglo irish
He was about as Irish as tuppence
The quote of Bertolt Brecht springs to mind; ‘Unhappy the land that needs a hero’
There’s more of it, Philip Dolan. You don’t have to be Roman Catholic, barefoot and living off spuds to be Irish. Just because the huge majority used to be Catholic Irish, it does not negate the Irishness of those who weren’t.
Brecht was wrong
He was born in IRELAND. IRISH ALL THE WAY IN CO. KILDARE.
According to the English….. .Shakleton was one of thiers! They try to claim everyone while the are winning or suceeding!!
Just watched the Documentary about this on YouTube. Excellent!
Yeah it’s very good.
have your say