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Something changed in Westminster this week.

After suffering for years, women have begun speaking about what they brand Parliament's culture of sexism - and sexual harassment.

The dam broke when a group of female aides, spurred on by scandals like that of Harvey Weinstein, set up an apparent WhatsApp group naming MPs 'to avoid'.

Now Trade minister Mark Garnier faces a probe after asking his secretary to buy sex toys and calling her "sugar t*ts", while ex-minister Stephen Crabb has apologised for sexting a 19-year-old woman he interviewed for a job.

But most of the accused remain anonymous - and so do their accusers.

One insider told the Mirror there is still a culture that stops people naming their bosses, fellow MPs or old colleagues.

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Jeremy Corbyn said a "warped and degrading culture" thrives in Westminster and Theresa May urged victims to go to police.

Yet Mr Corbyn has faced claims he didn't act fast enough over sexist comments by MP Jared O'Mara before he was suspended on Wednesday. And reports claim Theresa May was already briefed regularly on alleged sex pest MPs.

Despite having a 24-hour helpline, Parliament can only intervene so far - because staff are employed directly by MPs.

Campaigners including Jess Phillips, chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party, say there should be a “proper HR” system that is independent.

Theresa May is writing to the Speaker John Bercow today to "ask for his advice" on how to act next.

So what is the furore all about?

Here are some of the stories that have been in the news already - plus some others churning through the rumour mill in Westminster.

Not every one is a case of sexual harassment. But those we spoke to believed they showed a wider culture in British politics. Read and decide for yourself.

1. The minister who called a secretary 'sugar t*ts'

(Image: Getty)

A Tory Minister faces a watchdog probe after admitting asking his secretary to buy sex toys for him and calling her "sugar t*ts".

Father-of-three Mark Garnier, 53, one of International Trade Secretary Liam Fox's deputies, will be investigated by the Cabinet Secretary at the request of Theresa May.

The allegations by ex-secretary Caroline Edmondson date back to 2010, shortly after Mr Garnier became an MP and six years before he became a minister.

She told the Mail on Sunday the married MP had given her the money to buy two vibrators at a Soho sex shop - one for his wife and one for a woman in his constituency office.

Ms Edmondson, who has since left to work for another MP, said that on another occasion, in front of witnesses, he called her "sugar t*ts".

Mr Garnier has admitted both claims against him, but insists they were "good-humoured high-jinks" and "it absolutely does not constitute harassment".

2. The Tory MP who sexted a 19-year-old

(Image: Getty)

Former Cabinet minister Stephen Crabb has apologised for sexting a 19-year-old woman after he interviewed her for a job.

The Tory MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, 44, admitted sending "explicit" messages to the teenager in 2013 when he was a Welsh minister.

The married MP told the Sunday Telegraph he had been "foolish" but that there had been no sexual contact.

"We exchanged messages which talked about sex but none of it was meant seriously," he said.

"We met for coffee a few times and had a glass of wine once at the Commons, but nothing more.

"I accept any kind of sexual chatter like this is totally wrong and I am sorry for my actions."

3. The woman groped at a Christmas party

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

One worker in Westminster told the Mirror she was groped by a senior advisor who “couldn’t keep his hands to himself” at a Christmas party.

She separately named two MPs, one Labour and one Tory, who she said were rumoured to have acted inappropriately.

But she claimed “institutional bullying” in the Conservative Party may stop names coming out.

She warned: “There is such a vibe that if you speak out it’ll just ruin your career”.

The woman added: “Staff gang up and have bullied people out since the election.

“There are people who brief against their colleagues to higher-ups and Number 10, including department heads publicly calling members of their own staff s***.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “If a serious allegation is raised we would immediately advise the individual to contact the police. We take all allegations incredibly seriously.”

4. The MP 'pestering' a woman for a threesome

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

One story involves the Tory party conference.

Held earlier this month in Manchester, it sees MPs, aides and activists drinking and socialising late into the night.

We understand an MP was accused of "pestering" a woman to come to his hotel room and find another woman for a threesome.

A source told the Mirror the MP was described as being persistent, known for similar behaviour and having a "thing for blondes".

We have not been able to speak to the woman involved.

5. The minister who said 'come and feel the length of my d***'

(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

A former Tory minister is said to have acted wildly inappropriately to a secretary.

According to the Sunday Times, he was accused of propositioning her to “come and feel the length of my d***”.

The story of the MP, of whom women were warned "don't get into a lift with him", was being shared by female MPs this weekend.

The same MP was said to have formed a “shagging double act” with a party grandee who has since left the Commons.

6. The MPs who sit too close on the Commons benches

(Image: Universal Images Group Editorial)

One female Labour MP told the Mirror of unpleasant behaviour in her own party - in the publicly-visible House of Commons chamber.

She said there are MPs she doesn't talk to, who the Westminster rumour mill claimed had "gone to ground" since the scandal broke.

"They tend to be the ones who sit too close on the benches," she said.

"And accidentally touch your leg..."

7. The MP 'thrown off a foreign trip'

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Earlier this week, Labour MP John Mann hinted a fellow MP had been sent home from a foreign jaunt “for inappropriate behaviour”.

He did not name the MP, but raised the allegations during a point of order in the House of Commons.

Separately he tweeted: “I will be naming a Labour MP who behaved appalling towards a young woman.”

He could not be reached for comment after the allegations.

8. The minister who said 'God I love those t*ts'

According to the Sunday Times, a man who is now in the Cabinet put his hand on the thigh of a senior female journalist in view of front bench colleagues.

He then announced: "God, I love those t*ts.”

The newspaper reported the incident was alleged to have happened at a party conference dinner some years ago.

A second current minister, also not named, was said to have had an affair with a more junior female aide.

9. The MP who 'had sex with an intern over a desk'

(Image: Rex)

One former Labour staffer told us he once walked in on an MP having sex with an intern.

He told the Mirror: “I was working late, I left to get food and came back to them humping on a desk.”

The incident happened some years ago. The same ex-staffer also claimed there were incidents of women being hired for their looks.

A Labour spokesperson said: “The Party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously.

“We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that allegations can be properly investigated.

“When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the Party’s rule book and procedures.”