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The prime minister has denied having prior knowledge of the accusations against her Tory colleagues.

Theresa May admitted political parties had not always got things right when it came to sexual abuse and harassment but said she was "determined to get it right for the future".

This morning her deputy Damian Green was battling to keep his job following allegations that “extreme porn” was found on his work computer which he denies.

He is the latest in a list of MPs accused of inappropriate behaviour.

Mrs May was asked whether she could say "hand on heart" that she was not "aware of any of the concerns that have emerged in the last couple of weeks" to which she replied "yes".

She denied that she was only taking action on allegations that have been made public.

"A number of issues were raised with me that didn't appear in the press and as you can see action has been taken," she said."

"A number of people have been referred to the Conservative Party's grievance procedure and arrangements that we have put in place.

"And a number of people have been referred to the Cabinet Secretary, where they are in ministerial positions it is appropriate for the Cabinet Secretary to look at these issues."

The PM described the recent revelations as "deeply troubling" and said it had understandably led to "significant public unease".

(Image: REUTERS)

Speaking to the CBI the prime minister said that "for too long, the powerful have been able to abuse their power, and their victims have not felt able to speak out."

She continued: "let me be very frank: political parties have not always got this right in the past, but I am determined to get it right for the future."

Mrs May, who will meet with other party leaders this afternoon to discuss a change in the way that parliament handles such complaints, said that people who work in parliament should be governed by the same norms as any other workplace.

She told business leaders she had already set out a new code of conduct and grievance procedure for the Conservative party which will apply to all Conservative party office holders and representatives.

And she said she planned to discuss a "robust and independent grievance procedure for parliament" so that " complaints can be brought forward without prejudice and victims know that those complaints will be investigated properly".

Slamming down critics who say new rules would unnecessarily restrict those who work in parliament, Mrs May said: "Of course people can be friends with their colleagues, and consensual relationships can develop at work. This isn't about prying into private lives.

"What we are talking about is the use and abuse of power."