Fawcett responds to rape and sexual assault allegations made against a Conservative MP

04 August 2020

Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of The Fawcett Society said:

"These allegations are extremely serious. As a first step the MP should have the whip removed pending full investigation. Failure to do so sends the signal that parliament is not serious about tackling issues of sexual harassment and assault.

"Victims need to feel confident to come forward. Parliament has to move on from behaving like a members' club, regulating itself, that is why the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme has been introduced. But we must go further and strengthen the law to ensure that interns, volunteers and MPs and Peers are protected."

Read Fawcett's 2019 report on sexual harassment in parliament here.

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