Who is Christopher Chope, why did the Tory MP block the upskirting bill and what else has he voted against?
The Government supported bids to introduce a bill which would specifically make it illegal to take pictures up women’s skirts - but the MP blocked it
A PROPOSED new law tackling vile “upskirt” photos was unexpectedly BLOCKED by a Tory MP.
Veteran MP Sir Christopher Chope stepped in and shouted “object” which was enough to derail the process, despite the Government supporting bids to introduce a bill which would specifically make it illegal to take pictures up women’s skirts.
Who is Sir Christopher Chope?
Mr Chope is from the right-wing of the Tory Party and made his name delaying and shooting down laws he opposes on "nanny state" grounds.
The 71-year-old became an MP in 1997, representing Southampton Itchen.
Born in Putney, West London, he was a judge before entering politics.
He was awarded with an OBE in 1982 for services to local government.
Why did he block the upskirting bill?
His motivation for blocking the bill is not fully known, however he has opposed what he claims to be "nanny state" laws in the past.
Frustration surrounds the way in which he objected to the bill.
Unlike normal bills, a Private Member’s Bill can be blocked by a single MP as long as they shout “object” when it’s read out in the Commons.
Minister Margot James took to Twitter to say: “The Goverment is determined that it becomes illegal to photograph people under their clothes without consent.
“Chope can delay, but not prevent, Wera Hobhouse’s bill from becoming law.”
Following the furore over his actions in the Commons, Sir Christopher has defended his actions and claimed he blocked the bill out of principle as a protest against the use of Private Members' Bills to pass laws.
Speaking to the , the 71-year-old said: "I feel a bit sore about being scapegoated over this. The suggestion that I am some kind of pervert is a complete travesty of the truth."
He added he wanted to see the law against upskirting added to the statute book and would fully support moves to criminalise it.
What else has be voted against?
During the same session Mr Chope shot down another bill, dubbed “Finn’s Law”, which would bring in tougher sentences for thugs who attack police animals.
The Tory has previously blocked pardoning Alan Turing – which was supported by the Queen, same-sex marriage as well as an investigation into bullying claims against Speaker John Bercow.
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Labour’s Wes Streeting called Mr Chope’s behaviour “beneath contempt”.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said: “This isn’t just about one vile Tory MP. This is another sign that our democracy just doesn’t function properly.”