Top Tory warns Commons sex probe risks wrongly tarring MPs as John Bercow says political parties must act

ONE OF the most powerful MPs today warned the campaign against sexual harassment could “unfairly tarnish” politicians and insisted Parliament is not a “den of iniquity” despite reports that hundreds of allegations could come to light.

Top Tory Graham Brady became the first senior figure to speak out against the probe into the Commons sex scandal - as Speaker John Bercow said political parties must “live up to their responsibilities” in dealing with the allegations.

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Mr Brady expressed “anguish” about the widening claims as he warned about the danger of the investigation becoming a witch hunt.

The chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory MPs said: “The over-riding thing is the view that any wrongdoing should be prevented and people should be supported if they suffer from it.

"But also of course a degree of anguish that these things also unfairly tarnish the vast majority of Members of Parliament who are committed to public service and to doing good for their constituents.

"I think many people would say there's a culture of sexual harassment in many workplaces.

"But I think that where there is wrongdoing it needs to be dealt with, I think it would be a mistake to imagine that Parliament is a den of inequity."

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq revealed she had heard dozens of reports of misconduct and told BBC News: "If you investigate this and delve deeper into it, I think it probably will be in the hundreds. And that's deeply worrying."

Speaking in the Commons today, Mr Bercow attacked a "culture of sexual harassment” in Westminster - but said it was not down to Parliament to solve it.

The Speaker told MPs: "In the first instance I hope that parties will live up to their responsibilities, demonstrating both an appetite for change and a practical means of delivering that change without delay.

"Make no mistake, there is a need for change."

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He was speaking ahead of an urgent debate in Parliament into the issue, and called on the Commons Standards Committee to beef up the code of conduct for MPs to include a new rule that "a member must treat all those who work in Parliament with dignity, courtesy and respect", as recommended by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

And he said he would refer "the whole issue of sexual harassment" to the Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion, which he established last year.

The Prime Minister wrote to him yesterday offering to hold talks on overhauling disciplinary procedures in a bid to tackle the worsening scandal.

But the damning memo threatens to bring down her Government, as she has promised to sack any ministers found to have engaged in inappropriate behaviour.

A former researcher involved in drawing up the spreadsheet told it was intended to “determine how extensive this issue is and especially how many ministers could potentially be involved”.

It comes as Mrs May has already come under intense criticism from her own side for failing to take tougher action against two Tories humiliated over the weekend.

Former Welsh Minister Stephen Crabb admitted sending "explicit" messages in 2013 to a 19 year-old who applied for a job.

And Trade Minister Mark Garnier admitted he had called a former aide "sugar t*ts" and asked her to buy vibrators from a sex shop on his behalf.

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In response Mrs May has ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into whether Mr Garnier had breached the ministerial code.

And her official spokesman refused to say this morning she has full confidence in him while the investigation goes on.

He also refused to say she is confident none of her Cabinet have committed sexual misconduct.

And the spokesman failed to say whether the PM is personally aware of further unreported allegations against her top team.

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Speaking after Mr Bercow, Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom said they are “urgently investigating” and Parliament must take action in “days not weeks”.

She said a dedicated sexual harassment support team is needed, and criticised the existing complaints system at Westminster as inadequate.

Ms Leadsom, speaking in the Commons chamber with Mrs May by her side, she said there was a vital need for better support and protection for thousands of people working in the Palace of Westminster.

Ms Leadsom said: "As MPs, our constituents will be rightly appalled at the thought that some representatives in Parliament may have acted in an entirely inappropriate way towards others.

"These reports risk bringing all of our offices into disrepute."

She said it was clear the "current system is inadequate" and set out reforms and the Government's guiding principles, which are:

• Everyone in Parliament should "have the right to feel at ease as they go about their work".
• The existing confidential helpline must be strengthened as a "dedicated support team" with more resources.
• The support team should be able to recommend the onward referral of a case to ensure "appropriate investigation and action".
• Specialised pastoral support should be available to anyone in distress as a consequence of their treatment in the workplace.
• The support team should "strongly recommend" that any criminal allegations are reported to the police.

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She was responding to the urgent question tabled by Harriet Harman, who said moves to tackle the problem were "long overdue".

The former Labour former deputy leader said: "No one should have to work in the toxic atmosphere of sleazy, sexist or homophobic banter.

"No MP, let alone a minister, should think it is something to make jokes about."

Ms Harman said it was "almost impossible" for someone in a very junior role to complain about a senior figure and called for anonymity for those reporting incidents.

"That gives those at the top impunity, which some, few but some, will take advantage of."

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Referencing Mr Garnier’s statement that the allegations were just “high jinks”, she added: "No-one voted for me to come to this House to engage in high-jinks."

Tory former minister Anna Soubry said any new grievance procedure must protect "all workers in the Palace of Westminster" not just MPs' staff.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme many MPs were "fed up to the back teeth with the level of misogynistic abuse" they face, adding: "There is a problem and we are all responsible for sorting it out.

"Theresa May, because she is a woman leader of a party, absolutely will - I'm confident of that."

Labour MP Lucy Powell compared the situation with the Hollywood abuse scandal, with people desperate to advance in an industry.

Her colleagues Jess Phillips and John Mann have both demanded Mr Garnier and Mr Crabb's suspension.

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This afternoon’s debate came after Labour’s Dawn Butler, the Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, wrote to the PM urging her to put party considerations aside to put an end to a “culture that has tolerated or made light of abuse for far too long”.

In the letter she calls for all parties to publish their complaints procedures publicly so that if any member has complaints, they not only know how to raise them, but can have faith that the process is sufficiently robust and confidential.

Ms Butler is also seeking confirmation Mr Crabb and Mr Garnier will be investigated by the party and have the whip suspended while investigations into their conduct take place.

She adds: “All party political considerations should be put to one side to ensure we take serious action.

“I am hopeful that if we do, this could prove to be a turning point that sees us make progress in tackling the sexism and misogyny that pervades our society.”

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Her intervention comes after one of her colleagues Cat Smith revealed as a young activist she had to push away and run when a councillor attempted to kiss her after a party.

The Labour MP for Fleetwood told the BBC the incident took place many years and involved a senior individual with "a bit of a reputation".

She said: "As I was leaving, he chose to leave the party at the same time as me under the guise of wanting to walk me to the nearest station so I got home safely," she said.

"I insisted that I was absolutely fine walking on my own and didn't feel the need to be accompanied but he insisted and did try and hold my hand on that walk.

"I resisted and didn't let him, but then once we got to the station he delved in for a kiss that definitely wasn't invited and I pushed him away and basically ran away from him."

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The shadow deputy leader of the Commons and shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs said she and other female colleagues reported the incident and the man was "dealt with".

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn’s office has received an abuse complaint about a standing MP, the Sun can reveal.

Sources confirmed Labour was investigating the claims just 24 hours after the leftie leader condemned Westminster’s “warped” culture.

The said: “Any complaints are dealt with in the strictest confidence and it would not be appropriate to share details relating to these cases.”

Labour insiders told the Sun there were allegations sweeping Westminster about at least two of the party’s backbench MPs, with one adding: “I know at least one who is absolutely bricking it.”