GETTY The offenders are allegedly senior MEPs ranging from across the political spectrum

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The offenders are allegedly senior MEPs ranging from across the political spectrum, including former ministers. The victims have reportedly spoken out to the Sunday Times after being emboldened to do so following the Harvey Weinstein scandal. One young female European Parliament employee has alleged she was touched inappropriately by a nearly 60-year-old man who remains a prominent MEP. She said: “He was stroking my hair, then my neck, going down my back… I just froze, I was petrified.

“I told my colleague, who said I should report him, but in the end I didn’t… I was afraid of losing my job, of facing the embarrassment and ruining my career.” The offenders, who have not been named at the request of their victims, are said to fear for their careers and possible legal confrontation with their harassers. The Sunday Times has allegedly seen a text message sent by Yves Cochet, a former French environment minister and Green party MEP, to the 25-year-old female assistant of another member. The 71-year-old former French minister is said to have chided her for rejecting a dinner invitation and added that he wanted to share her “passions, dreams and fantasies”.

GETTY The victims have reportedly found the strength to speak out after the Harvey Weinstein scandal

Harvey Weinstein: Who are the actresses accusing Harvey Weinstein? Wed, October 11, 2017 Harvey Weinstein has been accused of rape and sexual harassment by more than a dozen women including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow. Here are the actresses accusing Harvey Weinstein? Play slideshow Getty 1 of 11 Who are the actresses accusing Harvey Weinstein?

He is reported to have written: “I know it’s a cliché, an old man asking out a pretty young woman. "But are you afraid of what people will say… do you maybe tremble with a delicious yet disconcerting expectation?” In addition, it has been reported that one senior MEP masturbated in front of a young assistant and that another middle-aged politician groped an aide. One 24-year-old assistant also claimed a German MEP “stalked” her in meetings and eventually made “unpleasant advances”.