Senior Tories named in the dossier branding them 'sleazebags' have said it could lead to men being to scared to ask people on dates and leave their careers in ruins.

Colonel Bob Stewart says the so-called spreadsheet of shame naming 42 Tory MPs is 'appalling' while Michael Fabricant branded it a 'witch hunt'.

Last year Sir Bob sparked a Westminster sexism row by labelling a female reporter 'totty' but said he was just 'old fashioned' and 'actually being really nice'.

Sir Bob says he is being unfairly targeted and has 'never been rude to a woman in my life'.

Colonel Bob Stewart says the the so-called spreadsheet of shame naming 42 Tory MPs including him is 'appalling' while Michael Fabricant branded it a 'witch hunt' and smear campaign

He told The Sun: 'What we've got now is a situation where we are soon going to be in a situation where people that work together can't say 'can I take you out?' How far away are we from that?'

THE 'SEX PEST' DOSSIER IN NUMBERS The controversial dossier runs to 42 names in total, and encompasses all levels of the Tory party. It features six Cabinet-level ministers. There are 12 lower-ranking ministers. Some 10 former ministers, including a handful who served in the highest ranks of government, are also on the roll call. But while a number of the MPs are alleged to have acted inappropriately, around 15 of the claims relate to consensual relationships or personal sexual preferences - without any apparent misconduct. Advertisement

He added: 'Being on some flippant list implying I'm a sleazebag really does actually hurt - because I'm not'.

Michael Fabricant said he was mystified by his inclusion in the document and questioned the motives of its anonymous authors.

He was listed as having been 'inappropriate with a male journalist in a taxi'.

Last night he denied the allegation and warned the claims threatened to undermine action in genuine cases of sexual harassment.

Ministers named in the document, which identifies more than 40 Tory MPs, are threatening to take legal action against social media firms that allowed it to circulate. One said the situation was Kafkaesque. Another fears being dropped by Theresa May as a result.

Mr Fabricant, Lichfield MP and former Tory vice-chairman, said: 'I have seen the spreadsheet, which is on social media. It only lists Conservative MPs and is a strange hotchpotch of rumour and gossip. I am listed over a single incident where I was said to be 'inappropriate with a male journalist in a taxi'. What does that mean?

'Was it a risqué joke that I told? If it were anything noteworthy, surely the journalist would have either written it up as a juicy story – or smacked me in the mouth?

'And who was he anyway, and when? For the life of me, I cannot recall having been in a taxi with a journalist though doubtless I must have been over the last 25 years in parliament. This is why we do need to have an independent investigative body which can assess accusations, punish guilty MPs, and also discredit anyone who smears an MP merely for party political or other ends.

'Right-minded people everywhere will condemn unsubstantiated witch hunts.'

The dossier, obtained by the Daily Mail, is said to have been drawn up in secret by a small group of current and former parliamentary researchers.

Who's inside the Tory 'dirty dossier' MARK MENZIES Allegations: Used male prostitutes Reality: He quit as a ministerial aid in 2014 after denying allegations involving 19-year-old Rogerio dos Santos Pinto who claimed the MP had offered him £250 for a two-hour sex session after a tour of Parliament. STEPHEN CRABB Allegations: Inappropriate relationships with women Reality: Former Cabinet Minister Stephen Crabb has admitted sending 'explicit' messages to a 19-year-old woman after a job interview at Westminster. Mr Crabb admitted saying 'pretty outrageous things' to her two days ago. Last year, Mr Crabb announced he was running for the Conservative Party Leadership but stepped down from the race after texting a woman in her twenties that he wanted to kiss her 'everywhere'. His messages were leaked to The Times by a source, who said they were concerned by the ‘hypocrisy’ of Mr Crabb, who said he could be trusted on his values and judgment. MARK GARNIER Allegations: Inappropriate behaviour with women Reality: The Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest is accused of allegedly asking his assistant to buy two vibrators from a sex shop. Commons secretary Caroline Edmondson also told The Mail on Sunday last week that he called her ‘sugar t*ts’ in front of witnesses. He said: ‘I’m not going to deny it, because I’m not going to be dishonest,’ he said. ‘I’m going to have to take it on the chin.’ The dossier also claims he acted in an inappropriate manner with women. AMBER RUDD Allegations: Workplace relationship Reality: The Home Secretary has been included on the list due to her relationship with Tory MP Kwasi Kwarteng. Ms Rudd, who was previously married to the late A.A. Gill from 1990 to 1995, is understood to have started her relationship with Mr Kwarteng from 2009. STEVE DOUBLE Allegation: Affair with female researcher Reality: The St Austell MP admitted having an affair with aide Sarah Bunt, 26, in June last year after rumours began circulating of their relationship during the summer. Mrs Bunt was hired to work alongside his wife Anne, 51, in his constituency office of St Austell and Newquay. He later confessed to the affair, which lasted for a few weeks, and told newspapers that if he had 'known the grief it has caused I would not have done it [given Mrs Bunt the job]'. Mrs Double said she would stand by her husband. JAKE BERRY Allegations: 'Impregnated' Tory aide Reality: The Rossendale MP has been named after having a son, Milo, with his partner Alice Robinson, a former Tory aide. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said the pair were 'really happy' at their son's arrival in March. Mr Berry, 38, announced in September last year that he and his former wife of seven years, Charlotte Alexa, had divorced amicably. JUSTIN TOMLINSON Allegations: Relationship with researcher Reality: In July last year the MP for North Swindon had 'amicably' split up with his wife and begun a relationship with researcher Katherine Bennett. Mr Tomlinson, 40, confirmed that he had grown apart from his wife Jo Wheeler and the pair divorced in 2015. Ms Bennett, 26, revealed they were in a relationship after posting about it on Facebook. ROBERT HALFON Allegation: Affair Reality: In 2015, the Essex MP admitted to having an affair with PR executive Alexandra Paterson after claiming Tory director Mark Clarke tried to get film of him leaving a London club with Miss Paterson. In a statement released by the Conservative Party, Mr Halfon, who is unmarried but has a long term partner, said: ‘What I did was wrong, and I feel ashamed. I am not proud of myself. The most important thing to me is to continue to repair my relationship with my partner.’ He told a Sunday newspaper he had kept quiet about the alleged threat until Mr Johnson’s death. He said: ‘Mark Clarke is an appalling man – I wish I had never met him. I was stupid.’ DAMIAN GREEN Allegation: Member of dating website for married men Reality: The First Secretary of State strenuously denied accusations two years ago that he was a member of the Ashley Madison site after his private email address was found among millions leaked by hackers. But a redacted version of the Westminster sex dossier, published yesterday, listed a Cabinet minister together with the words Ashley Madison. Since accused of making inappropriate advances towards a Tory activist three decades his junior, Kim Maltby. Mr Green said last night: ‘It is absolutely and completely untrue that I’ve ever made any sexual advances on Ms Maltby. This untrue allegation has come as a complete shock and is deeply hurtful, especially from someone I considered a personal friend.’ SIR BOB STEWART Allegation: Inappropriate with women Reality: Last year Sir Bob sparked a Westminster sexism row by labelling a female reporter 'totty' but said he was just 'old fashioned' and 'actually being really nice'. He made the jibe at the Spectator's assistant editor Isabel Hardman Sir Bob says he is being unfairly targeted and has 'never been rude to a woman in my life'. MICHAEL FABRICANT Allegation: 'Inappropriate with a male journalist in a taxi' Reality: Mr Fabricant says he's a victim of a smear He said: 'I am listed over a single incident where I was said to be 'inappropriate with a male journalist in a taxi'. What does that mean? 'Was it a risqué joke that I told? If it were anything noteworthy, surely the journalist would have either written it up as a juicy story – or smacked me in the mouth?' GRANT SHAPPS Allegation: Affair Reality: Mr Shapps said that it was one of several 'vicious smears' used by opponents during the election. No evidence of any affair LIAM FOX Allegation: Spreadsheet simply says: 'Adam Werritty' Reality: Liam Fox broke the ministerial code in his dealings with his lobbyist friend and best man Adam Werritty . Dr Fox met Mr Werritty on 40 occasions at the Ministry of Defence and on overseas trips despite him having no official role. A register of Westminster lobbying groups was created to try to prevent a repeat of a similar incident. No allegations were of a sexual nature RORY STEWART Allegation: Accused of asking his former aide Sophie Bolsover of doing 'odd things'. Reality: Both deny this. Ms Bolsover tweeted today that 'nothing of the kind implied by my name being included on this spreadsheet ever took place'. 'During my time working in parliament, Rory Stewart was never anything other than completely professional and an excellent employer,' Ms Bolsover wrote. International development minister Mr Stewart retweeted his former staffer's statement, adding: 'This story is completely untrue + deeply hurtful. Neither of us have any idea how our names appeared on the list.' DOMINIC RAAB Allegation: Justice minister accused of injunction for 'inappropriate behaviour with a woman' Reality: In a post on his website, justice minister Mr Raab said: 'Under my own name, the entry reads: “Injunction for inappropriate behaviour with a woman”,' he wrote. 'And yet, I have never been served with any injunction for anything. Nor have I ever sought one. 'Equally, any insinuation that I have engaged in anything resembling sexual harassment, sexually abusive behaviour or lewd remarks with either Parliamentary colleagues or staff (in any job I have done) is false and malicious. I have already taken legal advice.' 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Two more ministers and a Tory aide have broken cover to condemn allegations in a controversial sleaze dossier.

MP 'assaulted me in hotel room but officials ignored my complaint' In a letter this year, Kathryn Hudson, the standards commissioner, said she had concerns about the scope of existing procedures for dealing with allegations but was unable to act in this case A Westminster staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it. The alleged victim, who spoke anonymously and did not identify which party the MP was from, said the man forced himself on her in a hotel room last year. But when she and a senior colleague reported it to several authorities, she claimed they refused to act, adding that officials ‘at best turned a blind eye and at worst actively covered it up’. The MP’s lawyers were reported to have categorically denied the allegation. The woman, who works for another MP, said she spoke out because she felt Theresa May’s proposals for dealing with sexual harassment allegations in Parliament were ‘inadequate’. She said the MP asked to talk to her in his hotel room during a work trip to Europe with colleagues. She said she thought nothing of the request as the pair had a professional relationship. But she told ITV: ‘He was quite insistent on me sitting on the bed ... to the point where he pushed me on the bed and held me by the shoulders and tried to kiss me. ‘I made it very clear that was not what I wanted, but he was insistent, and pushed me back on to the bed and kind of held me there. The shock soon turned into fear, I realised I was in quite a vulnerable situation ... with someone a lot bigger and stronger than me.’ On his third attempt to kiss her, she fought him off and ran from the room, she said. She reported the incident to the police, the Parliamentary standards commissioner, House of Commons authorities and the MP’s party. But she claimed none of those took her complaint seriously except the police, who could not investigate because it took place in another country. She said she was told it was not within the remit of the Parliamentary standards commissioner because she was employed directly by an MP rather than the Commons. MPs can only be investigated over their public life and not their ‘purely private and personal lives’, rules state. In a letter this year, Kathryn Hudson, the standards commissioner, said she had concerns about the scope of existing procedures for dealing with allegations but was unable to act in this case. Staff employed by the Commons are governed by an anti-harassment ‘Respect’ policy – but it does not apply for staff employed directly by MPs. The alleged victim said her colleague tried to set up a meeting with officials to discuss the policy but said it was cancelled several times. She told the Guardian: ‘I was so shocked that they basically didn’t want to know. I felt so alone: how could they not care? ‘We also notified the party. But they did nothing ... [They] made no commitment to investigate, respond, do anything and sure enough we never heard any response from them. We don’t know whether they had a word with the MP or turned a blind eye.’ Advertisement

Rory Stewart, his former aide Sophie Bolsover, and Dominic Raab issued statements flatly denying claims in the list.

Mr Stewart was alleged on the document to have 'asked female researcher to do odd things'. Ms Bolsover's name was also included.

But she tweeted today that 'nothing of the kind implied by my name being included on this spreadsheet ever took place'.

'During my time working in parliament, Rory Stewart was never anything other than completely professional and an excellent employer,' Ms Bolsover wrote.

International development minister Mr Stewart retweeted his former staffer's statement, adding: 'This story is completely untrue + deeply hurtful. Neither of us have any idea how our names appeared on the list.'

In a post on his website, justice minister Mr Raab also confronted the allegations.

'Under my own name, the entry reads: “Injunction for inappropriate behaviour with a woman”,' he wrote.

'And yet, I have never been served with any injunction for anything. Nor have I ever sought one.

'Equally, any insinuation that I have engaged in anything resembling sexual harassment, sexually abusive behaviour or lewd remarks with either Parliamentary colleagues or staff (in any job I have done) is false and malicious. I have already taken legal advice.'

Last night it was freely available on social media, as well as a website based in the US – sparking panic and anger among those named. One minister said: 'The claims against me are scurrilous and libellous. I hope they've got deep pockets.'

An alleged victim of harassment said: 'It's the victims who have their names dragged through the papers, not the MPs.' First Secretary of State Damian Green was yesterday named as being on the list over historic claims that he used the Ashley Madison dating website – an allegation he has always strenuously denied.

One minister said he feared being blacklisted by Mrs May in her next reshuffle as a result of his inclusion in the dossier.

'It is a nightmare,' the MP said. 'The allegations are totally untrue and I don't understand where they have come from. But I have no way of clearing my name.

'Everyone knows how strongly the PM rightly feels about this issue. Will I be overlooked in the reshuffle because of it? I don't know – and probably never will – but I fear I could be.' Another minister threatened legal action anyone who published details of his inclusion on the list, saying: 'The allegations are categorically untrue and anyone circulating this list on the internet is libelling me.'

A third minister also said he would sue anyone who repeated the 'smear' against him in the dossier. 'This is total nonsense and I will come out firing if my name comes out.'

A fourth minister described the situation as Kafkaesque, adding: 'I'm being accused of things I haven't done by people I don't know. I am annoyed and pretty upset about it.'

The spreadsheet of allegations names six serving Cabinet ministers. Many of the claims are either already in the public domain, have been debunked, denied, or do not involve any suggestion of harassment.

Of the 42 Tory MPs named, at least 16 are listed over consensual relationships or involve personal sexual preferences.

International Trade Minister Mark Garnier (pictured at a trans pride event) is accused of calling his secretary 'sugar t*ts' in front of witnesses

St Austell MP Steve Double is also on there for having an affair with his office liaison with Sarah Bunt, 26, but was taken back by his forgiving wife Anne in 2016 (all pictured together)

Home Secretary Amber Rudd (left today) was put on there only because she had a relationship with Eton-educated Tory MP Kwasi Kwarteng (right) after her divorce from AA Gill

Essex MP Robert Halfon is also on the list because the former minister without portfolio had a six-month relationship with a Tory worker behind his long-term partner's back in 2015 - Jake Berry is named on the list over his relationship with a Tory aide, who is now his long term partner and mother of his son

MP Justin Tomlinson, 40, is on the list after he settled down with then 25-year-old aide Katherine Bennett in 2016 when he was already divorced. Theresa May's key ally Damian Green is at the top of Westminster's 'spreadsheet of shame' and repeats claims his email address was on a hacked list the Ashley Madison dating website members, which he has repeatedly denied

Several of the claims appear to have been taken directly from newspaper clippings from the past decade and beyond.

They include Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Kwasi Kwarteng (who were single at the time), a parliamentary private secretary to Philip Hammond, who have long been known to have had an on-off romance, which he has spoken publicly about.

Communities and local government minister Jake Berry is included because he ‘impregnated Alice Robinson’, an aide to another MP, even though they have been public about their consensual relationship and announced the birth of their son earlier this year in a local newspaper.

Mark Menzies, 45, quit as a minister's aide in 2014 shortly after being asked about his relationship with rent boy Rogerio dos Santos Pinto, 19, and is named on the so-called sex 'pest list' over the incident

Former minister Justin Tomlinson – who was single – is listed as having a relationship with a researcher, even though he announced this himself last July and it was widely reported.

Mark Menzies is named because of a Sunday newspaper story dating back to 2014, which revealed he used the services of a male prostitute. He resigned in the aftermath but said at the time that a number of the allegations were untrue.

MPs Steve Double and Robert Halfon are accused of affairs, which they have previously admitted publicly.

A senior Tory MP is listed as enjoying ‘intercourse with men who are wearing women’s perfume’. Whilst the sexual preference may be unusual, there is nothing to suggest any wrongdoing.

Many of the other accusations are vague and lack basic details such as what happened, when and who was involved.

Liam Fox is named on the spreadsheet without any hint of sexual allegations and it says just 'Adam Werritty'. He broke the ministerial code in his dealings with his lobbyist friend and best man Adam Werritty . Dr Fox met Mr Werritty on 40 occasions at the Ministry of Defence and on overseas trips despite him having no official role. A register of Westminster lobbying groups was created to try to prevent a repeat of a similar incident. No allegations were of a sexual nature.

Senior Tories were last night urging Mrs May to avoid a witch hunt against those named in the dossier.

Government sources last night confirmed that Mrs May is ‘very angry’ about the sex scandal threatening to engulf her government.

Downing Street declined to make any public comment on the dossier, saying it would be wrong to comment on ‘speculation’.

But No 10 pointedly declined to say whether the PM retained full confidence in Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon after he admitted putting his hand on a female journalist’s knee 15 years ago.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Sir Michael had been ‘right to apologise’ to journalist Julia-Hartley-Brewer over the incident, but said there would be no further action as she had not complained.

However, international trade minister Mark Garnier could face the sack within days after admitting referring to a female aide as ‘sugar t*ts’ and asking her to purchase sex toys for him.

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom warned MPs on Monday that ministers could face the sack if they make staff ‘feel uncomfortable’.

Liam Fox Resigned over breach of ministerial code after suggestions he helped best man Adam Werritty (pictured) but there were no sexual allegations

My drink was spiked with date rape drug in House of Commons bar, claims former Tory aide – who was told by police it ‘wasn’t the first time’

A date rape drug is said to have been used on a Tory aide's drink in a Commons bar and another woman claims an MP grabbed her by the crotch as the Westminster sex row escalated again today.

The former Conservative aide has claimed that the drugging took place at the Strangers' Bar on the parliamentary estate, which is reserved for MPs and their guests.

She told the Evening Standard she reported the episode at the venue to the police and an officer said it was not the first time it had happened.

The newspaper also reported an allegation that a woman who worked for a Tory MP had been approached by him from behind in her office.

He is said to have grabbed her crotch, but the House authorities apparently told her there was 'nothing they could do'.

A Westminster staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it

STRANGERS BAR Strangers Bar is one of the most popular drinking dens in the Palace of Westminster. Nestled in the heart of Parliament's labyrinthine corridors and with enviable views of the River Thames, it is a favourite among MPs keen to impress their guests. When Parliament sits late it is packed with MPs who make the most of the subsidised bar by having a drink as they wait to vote. They swap gossip and political stories with each other and the flock of lobby reporters who head their hunting for stories. And while evenings in the bar usually pass off in an environment of friendly socialising, the booze-fuelled evenings have been known to erupt into violence. In February 2012, then Labour MP Eric Joyce headbutted a Tory politician and punched another one after drinking a bottle of win in the bar. Under special parliamentary rules, the bar can stay open long after normal closing times - as long as the House of Commons is still sitting. So while some MPs stay in the Chamber making speeches late into the evening, others opt to enjoy a drink and sometimes to get gently sloshed as they enjoy an evening on its famous terrace. Advertisement

Westminster has been rocked by a slew of allegations, which appear to have been prompted by the Harvey Weinstein scandal in the US.

Another staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it.

The alleged victim, who spoke anonymously and did not identify which party the MP was from, said the man forced himself on her in a hotel room last year.

But when she and a senior colleague reported it to several authorities, she claimed they refused to act, adding that officials ‘at best turned a blind eye and at worst actively covered it up’.

A Tory backbencher today demanded drastic action to reduce the potential for abuses on the estate - saying staff should be kicked out at 6pm and all the bars should be closed.

Nadine Dorries said there was a 'cultural problem' in Westminster with politicians 'who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don't'.

She insisted it was time for the exclusive venues to be shut down, adding: 'Westminster is a workplace.'

There are around a dozen bars on the parliamentary estate. Drinks are considerably cheaper than in nearby pubs as the taxpayer subsidises the overheads.

Late votes in the House means they are often frequented by large numbers of MPs and staff members.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries (pictured in the Commons) said there was a 'cultural problem' in Westminster with politicians 'who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don't'

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs' staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

Ms Dorries said today: 'There is a cultural problem in Westminster. It’s complex. MPs who work late sharing restaurants /bars with young researchers who don’t.

'Time for MPs staff to leave the premises at 6pm and for places like the sports and social club to be closed down. Westminster is a workplace

'Staff remain on Westminster premises drinking whilst MPs voting. Why? Plenty of pubs around London. No other workplace provides bars.'

The Mid Bedforshire MP added on Twitter: 'Absolutely no reason whatsoever why any MPs staff should work past 6pm.'

The latest claims come after Bex Bailey waived her right to anonymity to claim she was sexually assaulted by a Labour official when she was just 19

A prominent Labour activist has also claimed she was raped by a senior official at a party event in 2011 but was told not to report it because it would hurt her career.

Bex Bailey has bravely waived her right to anonymity to reveal she was sexually assaulted by the official when she was just 19.

Ms Bailey, a former member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, said she plucked up the courage to tell told party officials about it two years later.

But she said telling party bosses was a 'horrible experience' and she was 'not even given a cup of tea' by officials who failed to support her.

The revelation means Labour is now fighting it own sex allegation cloud after the Tories have been rocked by allegations over the past few days.

A dossier naming more than 40 Tory MPs, apparently compiled by staffers, has been circulating with allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

First Secretary of State Damian Green is facing a probe by the Cabinet Secretary over allegations he made a pass at a much younger Tory activist. He vehemently denies the claims.

Separately, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has apologised for touching the knee of a female journalist during a dinner more than a decade ago.

PM calls cross-party crisis talks on Westminster sex scandal as she faces demands to suspend her deputy Damian Green over disputed claims he made a pass at Tory activist

Theresa May called cross-party crisis talks on the Westminster harassment row today as she faced calls to suspend her deputy Damian Green over disputed claims of making a pass at a Tory activist.

The First Secretary of State has been referred to the cabinet secretary by Downing Street after it was claimed he sent the woman a text message about how he had admired her in a corset.

Kate Maltby, 31, a critic and academic involved in Conservative politics, revealed the message and described a meeting between them in a bar where they discussed sexual affairs within parliament.

Theresa May was flanked by female ministers at PMQs today, with Mr Green further down the benches. She said she was inviting leaders of other parties to talks next week on a new grievance procedure for MPs' staff

First secretary of state, Damian Green (left) has been accused of making advances towards Kate Maltby, 31 (right)

Doorstepped by reporters as he left for Westminster this morning, Mr Green dismissed the allegations against him as 'completely false'. He has instructed lawyers.

But Tory MP Anna Soubry suggested under 'normal circumstances' he should stand aside while a probe is conducted.

Speaking at PMQs in the Commons this afternoon, Mrs May said she was asking other party leaders to meet early next week to discuss a new and more robust grievance procedure for MPs' staff.

Senior politicians are scrambling to address the growing scandal at parliament, which appears to have been triggered by the fallout from the Harvey Weinstein revelations in the US.

Mr Green was yesterday named as being on a controversial dossier over highly disputed historical claims he used an adultery website.

Miss Maltby (pictured) said Mr Green sent her a text after seeing a photo of her in a corset

According to the latest allegations, Miss Maltby, 31, said he told her ‘his wife was very understanding’ and put a ‘fleeting hand against my knee - so brief, it was almost deniable’.

Writing in the Times, she said the encounter with Mr Green left her feeling ‘angry’.

Then following the publication of a photograph of her wearing a corset, Mr Green, who was not a minister at the time, text her.

The message read: ‘Long time no see. But having admired you in a corset in my favourite tabloid I feel impelled to ask if you are free for a drink anytime?’

Mr Green said last night: ‘It is absolutely and completely untrue that I’ve ever made any sexual advances on Ms Maltby.’

He said they had known each other since 2014 and had had a drinks as friends twice a year.

He added: ‘The text I sent after she appeared in a newspaper article was sent in that spirit - as two friends agreeing to meet for a regular catch up - and nothing more.

‘This untrue allegation has come as a complete shock and is deeply hurtful, especially from someone I considered a personal friend.’

As he left his London home this morning, Mr Green told reporters: 'All the allegations are completely false.'

But Tory MP Mrs Soubry suggested he should stand aside while an investigation is carried out.

'I think it’s really serious. God knows what his wife must feel,' she told Sky News.

'The allegation against Damian Green has been reported to the Cabinet Office and there will be an investigation...

'In normal circumstances that person would be suspended.'

A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘An allegation has been made in relation to the First Secretary of State, which he strongly denies.

‘The Prime Minister has referred the matter to the Cabinet Secretary to establish the facts and report back as soon as possible.’

The First Secretary of State strenuously denied accusations two years ago that he was a member of the Ashley Madison site after his private email address was found among millions leaked by hackers.

But a redacted version of the Westminster sex dossier, published yesterday, listed a Cabinet minister together with the words Ashley Madison.

‘Westminster is a workplace!’ Tory MP calls for staff to be KICKED OUT of Parliament at 6pm and exclusive bars to be closed to end sex abuse danger

Staff should be kicked out of Parliament at 6pm and bars should be closed to end the sex abuse danger, a Tory MP said today.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries said there was a 'cultural problem' in Westminster with politicians 'who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don't'.

She insisted it was time for the exclusive venues to be shut down, adding: 'Westminster is a workplace.'

The call came with Westminster gripped by the gathering scandal over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries (pictured in the Commons) said there was a 'cultural problem' in Westminster with politicians 'who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don't'

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs' staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

MPs from across parties are facing claims of inappropriate or even criminal behaviour - with warnings that there could end up being hundreds of cases.

There are around a dozen bars on the parliamentary estate. Drinks are considerably cheaper than in nearby pubs as the taxpayer subsidises the overheads.

Ms Dorries said today: 'There is a cultural problem in Westminster. It’s complex. MPs who work late sharing restaurants /bars with young researchers who don’t.

'Time for MPs staff to leave the premises at 6pm and for places like the sports and social club to be closed down. Westminster is a workplace

'Staff remain on Westminster premises drinking whilst MPs voting. Why? Plenty of pubs around London. No other workplace provides bars.'

The Mid Bedforshire MP added on Twitter: 'Absolutely no reason whatsoever why any MPs staff should work past 6pm.'