Members of the European Parliament have used an urgently scheduled debate in Strasbourg to call for an end to unchecked sexual abuse within all EU institutions.

Over the past week, numerous allegations of sexual misconduct within the institution have emerged, putting a focus on the European Parliament which has long been suspected as a body where harassment is a problem.

More than 30 allegations of rape, assault and harassment connected to the Parliament have been reported to news website Politico, which called for alleged victims to contact them anonymously.

Four women, two of whom alleged rape, said they had lodged official complaints with the Parliament.

Another allegation came from a UKIP MEP, who claimed she had been told by a source that 15 MEPs had been accused of sexual harassment.


Image: German Green MEP Terry Reintke (C) was among those taking part in the debate

Speaking during the debate, UKIP's Margot Parker called on the Bureau of the European Parliament, which is responsible for the Parliament's administration, to reveal everything it knows about the matter.

She said: "We all heard the stories and rumours going on for many years. The very place that claims to legislate against this sort of disgusting behaviour is turning a blind eye to its practice.

"The idea that MEPs or staff are using their positions of power to perpetrate abuse is shameful and unacceptable.

"Can members of the Bureau tell us all they know about their in-camera meeting at the end of last year regarding 15 MEPs that are accused of sexual harassment? These files should be opened up to public scrutiny."

A spokesperson for the European Parliament called the accusation against 15 MEPs "absolutely untrue".

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"There have not been 15 cases of sexual harassment reported to the Advisory Committee dealing with harassment between MEPs and accredited assistants, nor, obviously, has the Bureau ever held a meeting behind closed doors about this," spokesperson Marjory Van Den Broeke said.

Ms Parker, MEP for the East Midlands, told Sky News: "The European Parliament denied at the start of the week that there were any sexual allegations. Now, they are backtracking like crazy.

"The truth about sexual harassment in EU institutions will all come out in time if we keep up the pressure for transparency."

On Monday, the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said in a statement that he had learned of the recent allegations with "shock and indignation".

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He said the European Parliament has a long-established advisory committee of MEPs dealing with harassment complaints between assistants and members, that "has not received any formal complaints about sexual harassment."

Wednesday's debate in Strasbourg follows the launch of the #MeToo campaign, a story-sharing movement on social media that saw thousands of people recount experiences of being sexually harassed and abused in the wake of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

The debate prompted reactions from MEPs across Europe.

Terry Reintke, a Greens/European Free Alliance MEP from Germany, said: "The shocking reports about the events in this parliament also give us the duty to do something about this. So we will need specific measures to work on the mechanisms for fighting sexual harassment in this house."

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"Yes, this is about women, but this is not a women's issue. We need men to speak up and to all of the men in this chamber and the EU - you cannot be complacent anymore. Speak up, stand up against sexual harassment. We cannot take this. We need to fight it together," Ms Reintke said.

Sophie in 't Veld, Vice-Chair of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, said: "I get the question often by men: 'I'm not too sure anymore what I can and what I cannot do; when do I cross the [line]?'

"And I always say: 'It's easy. If you have a daughter, just ask yourself: how would I want my daughter to be treated?'"

"It's not just about violence; it's also about sexism. Sexist remarks are not harmless, sexist jokes are not funny; they're just sexist."

Men make up about two-thirds of MEPs, but only five of the 40 speakers in the debate were male, prompting calls for male MEPs to be an active part of the solution.

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In a letter to its members, the parliamentary assistants' representative committee called for a revamp of Parliament staff contracts and the inclusion of external bodies.

"Rules governing the Advisory Committee dealing with complaints of harassment between APAs and Members of Parliament should be revised, as to make it an independent and balanced body in which external experts are part of it.

"Adopting and enforcing internal rules on whistle-blowers as requested for years from the European Ombudsman is key in order to protect victims of harassment."

MEPs will vote on combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU in Strasbourg tomorrow.