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A bid to ban upskirting specifically by law has been blocked in Parliament by a Conservative MP.

Upskirting is the act of taking a picture under a person's clothing without them knowing, with the intention of viewing their underwear, genitals or buttocks.

Bath's Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, has been pushing to change the law so that it's clear the practice is unacceptable.

Her private member's bill to update the rules had the Government's support before it went back to the House of Commons today (June 15).

It had been expected to be a success.

Only one MP opposed her plans.

Sir Christopher Chope, who represents Christchurch, shouted "object" to the bill, leading to cries of "shame" from other MPs.

The Ministry of Justice's backing was expected to see the bill pass, starting the process of an official change in the law.

Gina Martin, 26, had been campaigning for upskirting to be specifically outlawed after she was targeted at a festival and police told her there was nothing they could do to punish the offender.

Mrs Hobhouse gave her campaign a voice in Parliament.

But the rules in Parliament mean it only requires one MP to shout "object" to block a private member's bill's progress.

Mrs Hobhouse slammed Sir Christopher Chope for his "out of touch" intervention.

She said: "Upskirting is a depraved violation of privacy. It is outrageous that a single Member of Parliament has today been able to derail a much needed and universally supported change in the law.

“This change would have protected women and girls across England and Wales and given the police the tools to bring the perpetrators to justice. This is too important to allow people like Chris Cope to obstruct progress on this vital issue."

Celebrities such as Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary have backed the call for a change in the law.

Mrs Hobhouse said she would continue to work for change on a united front.

She added: "Gina, her lawyer Ryan Whelan, and myself have worked with Minister on this and we know how deeply she cares about this issue. We will therefore be making urgent arrangements to meet with her and plan the route forward."

A poll conducted by ITV revealed 96 per cent of 30,000 respondents backed the call for a change in the law.

Have you been affected by upskirting? Got a view on the law change? Email liam.trim@reachplc.com.