Andrea Leadsom: ministers who are sex pests will be sacked Ministers face the sack and MPs could lose their party whip if they are exposed as sex pests, the Commons […]

Ministers face the sack and MPs could lose their party whip if they are exposed as sex pests, the Commons Leader said as she set out plans to clamp down on harassment and abuse at Westminster.

The scandal over claims that women are routinely subject to misogyny and unwanted sexual attention in Parliament grew amid charges that previous complaints of unacceptable behaviour were ignored.

“If people are made to feel uncomfortable then that is not correct… In the case of Members of Parliament they could have the whip withdrawn and they could be fired from ministerial office.” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Andrea Leadsom

Andrea Leadsom, who was sitting alongside Theresa May, told MPs that action was needed in “days rather than weeks” as the current arrangements were “inadequate”.

As the Cabinet Office investigates one minister and a list has reportedly been compiled listing 36 MPs accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour, Ms Leadsom insisted there should be no tolerance of such conduct.

“I’m absolutely setting the bar significantly below criminal actions. If people are made to feel uncomfortable then that is not correct.

“In terms of the consequences for the perpetrators I think I’ve also been perfectly clear,” she said.

“In the case of staff they could forfeit their jobs.

“In the case of Members of Parliament they could have the whip withdrawn and they could be fired from ministerial office.”

Support team established

She announced plans to set up a dedicated support team in Westminster to allow staff to report cases of harassment and bullying.

It would refer complaints to the police where necessary.

“Everyone in this house must be clear that whenever a serious allegation is made, the individual should go to the police, and be supported in doing so.”

“Your age, gender or job title should have no bearing on the way you are treated in a modern workforce, and no one should be an exception to that.”

John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, spoke of his dismay over the “disturbing” allegations of a “culture of sexual harassment” in Parliament.

He said: “Make no mistake. There’s a need for change.”

He said: “Let me make it clear: there must be zero tolerance of sexual harassment or bullying here at Westminster or elsewhere: whether that involves members or their staff or parliamentary staff or those working on or visiting the estate.”

No place for ‘sleazy’ banter

Harriet Harman, the former deputy Labour leader, led demands from female MPs of all parties for support for harassment victims to come forward.

“No woman, or man for that matter, coming to work in this House should be subjected to unwanted sexual advances from those who are in a position of power over them.

“No one should have to work in the toxic atmosphere of sleazy, sexist or homophobic banter.”

However, the Labour MP Jess Phillips said she had just “overheard two male colleagues walking through the halls wittering about a witch hunt”.

She said: “What we need to do in this building is not think of this as being a party political thing, but something that has to absolutely happen.

“And we don’t just cheer when our side is the person getting attacked. We cheer when everybody is banged to rights.”

The Conservative MP, Matthew Offord, warned bullying was “systemic” in Parliament and read out a text message which suggested a current MP had been “utterly foul” towards a woman.