Theresa May is urging anyone with information to come forward over "deeply concerning" claims of sexual harassment in Westminster.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister will take allegations "extremely seriously", following reports Cabinet ministers have been named among a list of politicians accused of inappropriate behaviour and abuse.

According to The Sun, a WhatsApp group of female employees at Westminster is used to warn members about MPs and other senior figures from across the political parties.

It follows allegations made about movie mogul Harvey Weinstein by a number of women working in Hollywood.

:: Analysis: Is Westminster harbouring the next harassment scandal?


Image: WhatsApp is used by female staff to warn of 'inappropriate' behaviour by MPs

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "Any reports of sexual harassment are deeply concerning.

"The Prime Minister was very clear when we responded to the reports about Harvey Weinstein in the last few weeks that any unwanted sexual behaviour is completely unacceptable, and that is true in any walk of life - including politics.

"Any allegations that may come to light will be taken extremely seriously and we would advise people to contact the police if there is such an allegation so that it's fully investigated."

The Prime Minister was said to be unaware of any allegations having been formally reported.

Asked if claims about a minister would lead to their sacking by Mrs May, the spokeswoman added: "She would take it extremely seriously and serious action would be taken where it's necessary."

Downing Street also advised allegations that may not warrant a police investigation could be made to House of Commons officials or party authorities.

Image: Theresa May will take allegations 'extremely seriously'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the Prime Minister's comments, telling LBC Radio: "There has to be a proper system of people, women in particular, being able to report if they've been abused in any way and have it dealt with in a timely and proper manner.

"Our party, the Labour Party, has a process of doing that both for employees of party officials, MPs and councillors, but also for party members who feel they've been abused in any way."

The reported WhatsApp group, said to include female researchers, secretaries and aides, is claimed to include warnings such as "very handsy", "not safe in taxis" and "groped my a*** at a drinks party".

I will be naming a Labour MP who behaved appalling towards a young woman to the chief whip and leader Why was her complaint ignored before? — John Mann (@JohnMannMP) October 19, 2017

At the weekend, John Mann revealed he had named one of his fellow Labour MPs to Jeremy Corbyn and the party's chief whip.

In apparently separate claims to those from the reported WhatsApp group, Mr Mann alleged the MP had "behaved appallingly towards a young woman".

Posting on Twitter, he said: "This case and a non-Labour one I have raised demonstrate a shocking lack of any system for dealing with this in Westminster."

Image: The Harvey Weinstein scandal prompted a #MeToo social media campaign

The Harvey Weinstein scandal prompted a #MeToo campaign on social media, in which women spoke out about their own experiences of sexual harassment.

Parliamentary officials said there is a free and confidential 24/7 helpline provided by the House of Commons for all MPs' staff.

A House of Commons spokesperson said: "The House of Commons takes the welfare of everyone who works in Parliament very seriously.

"The House is limited in its ability to intervene in employment matters, such as allegations of bullying or harassment by MPs of their staff as MPs are self-employed and employ their staff directly."