LONDON (AP) — A lawmaker from Britain’s governing Conservative Celebration has been suspended after colleagues alleged he watched pornography on his cellphone within the Home of Commons chamber.
The occasion’s whips — officers answerable for implementing self-discipline — stated Friday that Neil Parish was suspended from the Conservative group in Parliament whereas the Home of Commons Requirements Committee investigates. He’ll stay a lawmaker however sit as an unbiased.
Parish, 65, has represented a district in southwest England within the decrease chamber of Parliament since 2010 and heads the Commons Surroundings, Meals and Rural Affairs Committee.
The allegations towards him are the newest sexual misconduct claims in British politics. Lengthy identified for its boozy, macho environment, Parliament is now a extra numerous place, however lawmakers and employees say bullying, harassment and inappropriate habits nonetheless are rife underneath a system that largely permits legislators to control themselves.
Earlier this week, feminine lawmakers reacted with outrage after a newspaper quoted an unnamed Conservative legislator who accused Labour Celebration Deputy Chief Angela Rayner of making an attempt to “distract” the prime minister throughout debates by crossing and uncrossing her legs.
Along with Paris, three different Conservative members of Parliament are at present suspended by the occasion over sexual misconduct claims.
The allegations of sexism and misbehavior involving Conservatives are additional hassle for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose job is on the road after he was fined by police for attending a celebration in 2020 that broke government-imposed coronavirus lockdown guidelines.
Native elections throughout the U.Ok. on Thursday will give voters an opportunity to indicate their emotions concerning the governing occasion.
