A Tory MP today blocked a bid to make 'upskirting' a criminal offence punishable by two years in jail despite the Government backing the reform.

Sir Christopher Chope shouted 'object' when the draft law was raised in the Commons today, slamming the brakes on the attempt to change the law.

There were cries of 'shame' in the Commons - including from minister Victoria Atkins - when Sir Christopher made his shock move as MPs were invited to wave the change in the law through.

Prime Minister Theresa May later expressed her 'disappointment' at the block, and pledged the Government would back moves to get the anti-upskirting legislation through Parliament.

Sir Christopher Chope (pictured in the Commons today) shouted 'object' when the draft law was raised in the Commons today, slamming the brakes on the attempt

Mrs May said: 'Upskirting is an invasion of privacy which leaves victims feeling degraded and distressed.

'I am disappointed the Bill didn't make progress in the Commons today, and I want to see these measures pass through Parliament - with Government support - soon.'

Campaigner Gina Martin, 26, who was a victim of upskirting told the BBC Sir Christopher had told her he opposed the change in the law because it had not been debated.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer insisted tonight the law would be changed as Tory MPs reacted with horror to their colleague's obstruction.

Tory MP Bob Neill wrote to the Prime Minister demanding the Government to make time to pass the new law.

Senior Tory Tom Tughendhat said it was 'shaming' for the party while Business Minister Margot James insisted the Government was determined to defy Sir Christopher and change the law.

Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse (pictured moving her bill today) had secured support from the Ministry of Justice to try and change the law from the backbenches

Former minister Nick Boles attacked Sir Christopher as an MP 'whose knuckles drag along the ground'.

The draft law came forward today after Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse was backed by the Ministry of Justice to try and deliver it from the backbenches.

But because it was not debated in full, any MP could stop the reform from making progress by simply shouting 'object'.

Lack of debate is frequently cited by Sir Christopher - who has blocked dozens of pieces of legislation in the same way - as a reason for objecting to a Bill on principle.

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins, who is also minister for women, joined cries of 'shame' after Sir Christopher blocked the bill that had been proposed by Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse.

Moments later, the 71-year-old also opposed Government-backed plans to give police dogs and horses extra legal protections from attack.

The issue was thrust into the spotlight by 26-year-old Gina Martin, who launched a petition to make upskirting a sexual offence after realising some some took a photo up her skirt at a music festival in Hyde Park last July when she took a selfie (pictured right). The alleged perpetrators are obscured in black and ringed.

After Sir Christopher's intervention, Ms Hobhouse told Sky News: 'I think it's very frustrating and annoying that one MP can block a consensus that had been built over several months.

'One MP can block this - it's shameful, it's annoying. It's not the end of the road, but I'm very angry.'

The issue was thrust into the spotlight by Miss Martin, who launched a petition to make upskirting a sexual offence after someone took a photo up her skirt at a music festival in Hyde Park last July.

She claimed police told her there was nothing they could do as the man involved had 'done nothing illegal'.

Following the stalling of the new laws, Miss Martin said: 'I am obviously extremely upset and disappointed that Sir Christopher decided to object on this vitally important Bill for the women of England and Wales.

How was the ban on upskirting blocked? Tory Sir Christopher Chope was able to block the proposed ban on upskirting with a single word today. Because the change in the law was being introduced from the backbenches and not by the Government, it can only be debated on a Friday and must take its place in a queue. The draft legislation today was eighth in the queue - meaning it was never going to be debated in full. MPs had a chance to wave it over its first Parliamentary hurdle without debate - but because there was no debate any MP can shout 'object' to stop this happening. This is what Sir Christopher did today. Advertisement

'I remain positive, though. We knew this was a risk - but I now stand with powerful, passionate women and men behind me and I am confident that (Justice Minister) Lucy Fraser is committed to - and will - close this gap in the law.'

Miss Martin said she had spoken to Sir Christopher and was 'hopeful that he will become a supporter of the Bill'.

Miss Martin can be identified because what happened to her is not covered by anonymity rules in the Sexual Offences Act.

The highly intrusive practice typically involves individuals secretly taking photographs under a person's clothing without them knowing with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks.

There have been a string of cases of men caught using smartphones to capture illicit images on public transport, in busy shops and at music venues.

But because upskirting has not been classified as a separate crime, offenders often escape punishment as securing a conviction has proved notoriously difficult.

Theresa May is facing calls to use Government time to change the law on upskirting after the measure was blocked by one of her MPs

Tory MP Bob Neill wrote to the Prime Minister (pictured) calling on the Government to change the law during main business instead of leaving it to the procedural traps of backbench discussions on a Friday

Furious Tory MPs lashed out at their colleague for blocking the attempt at changing the law, accusing him of being a 'dinosaur' living in a different century.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'The Government is determined to make it illegal to photograph people under their clothes without consent. Individual MPs can delay, but not prevent this from becoming law. We will make it happen.'

Tory MP Bob Neill, who is chairman of the Commons justice committee wrote to the Prime Minister asking that Government time be made available to allow the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill to have its second reading.

Business Minster Margot James said: 'The Goverment is determined that it becomes illegal to photograph people under their clothes without consent, Chope can delay, but not prevent, Wera Hobhouse's bill from becoming law.'

Business Minster Margot James said: 'The Goverment is determined that it becomes illegal to photograph people under their clothes without consent'

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton warned: 'This kind of thing does far more damage to the public's view of our party than endless debates about customs arrangements.'

'Do not underestimate just how furious many Tory MPs are about this.'

Senior Tory Tom Tughendhat said it was 'shaming' for the party and blasted: 'The Conservatives I joined believe in human dignity and welcoming ideas that protect our community.

'Chope is wrong and should apologise.'

Conor Burns said: 'Embarrassing behaviour by Chris Chope this afternoon. Not for the first time.

'I share a constituency boundary with him. But clearly not a century. Pleased Govt will now work to bring legislation in after his wrecking of the Private Members Bill.'

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton warned: 'This kind of thing does far more damage to the public's view of our party than endless debates about customs arrangements.'

Senior Tory Tom Tughendhat said it was 'shaming' for the party

Under the current law, culprits can potentially be charged with voyeurism or outraging public decency.

But voyeurism legislation is generally only used against people who hide cameras in changing rooms and public toilets.

This is because it applies to activities in a private, rather than a public place such as a festival, bus or school hall.

The law on outraging public decency requires an image to be lewd, obscene or disgusting, and experts say 'upskirt' photos do not always meet these criteria.

A Government spokesman insisted efforts would continue to change the law - but did not commit to doing so in Government time to avoid the procedural trick used today.

They said: 'This behaviour is a hideous invasion of privacy which leaves victims feeling degraded and distressed.

'It cannot be tolerated, so it is absolutely right that the government supports this Bill to make 'upskirting' a specific offence.

Because the proposed change to the law was not debated in full, any MP could stop the reform from making progress by simply shouting 'object' (pictured is the Commons during debates today)

Who is Sir Christopher Chope and why did he block the new law? Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope has made a career out of blocking back bench legislation in Parliament. The Tory MP, 71, has halted progress on laws about the Hillborough disaster, a pardon for Alan Turing and wild animals in circuses. He has yet to confirm why he blocked today's Bill but frequently cites a lack of debate, faulty drafting or duplication of law. Among dozens of Bills he had blocked, Sir Chistopher has also opposed: Free hospital parking for carers

Making revenge evictions a crime

Laws on same-sex marriage

Protecting police dogs

Careers advice for sixth formers

National standards for taxi licenses Sir Christopher, first elected in 1983, has repeatedly criticised the ability of MPs to make small changes to the law from the backbenches. Despite his opposition to many backbench bills, the father of two is also the architect of dozens of his own - typically as a way to take up time and block other proposals. He was knighted earlier this year for 'political and public service'. Advertisement

'Whilst we are disappointed this Bill did not pass second reading today, we look forward to supporting these measures through the House at the earliest possible opportunity.'

Following a campaign, Justice Secretary David Gauke has confirmed the Government will support legislation to close the loopholes in order to protect victims and increase convictions.

Justice minister Lucy Frazer said: 'This behaviour is a hideous invasion of privacy.

'By making upskirting a specific offence, we are sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated, and that perpetrators will be properly punished.'

The new law would bring the punishment for upskirting in line with other existing voyeurism offences, and the changes will see offenders face a maximum of two years in prison.

The most serious offenders will be placed on the sex offenders register.

The offence will cover instances where the purpose is to obtain sexual gratification or cause humiliation, distress or alarm.

Katie Ghose, head of Women's Aid, said: 'We hope that this new criminal offence will be another step forward in challenging the prevailing sexist attitudes and behaviours.'