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Two Tory MPs blocked the progress of a bill that would have made taking 'upskirt' photos a specific criminal offence by talking for four hours.

MPs cried shame as progress of the bill, which has cross-party support and is backed by the Government, was delayed until at July because of the antics of Shipley MP Philip Davies and Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope.

The pair have frequently taken advantage of an archaic quirk of Commons rules in which MPs are prevented from voting on a bill on a Friday if the debate goes on past 2.30pm.

There is no time limit on members' speeches on a Friday, effectively allowing them to talk for as long as they want.

Their marathon speeches were during the first debate of the day, on a bill to tighten regulation on the use of force in Mental Health Units.

(Image: PA)

Davies addressed more than 100 amendments put to the Mental Health Units (Use of Force Bill) at report stage by MPs, including several of his own, during an address which lasted almost two-and-a-half hours.

The Shipley MP clashed frequently with his frontbench over the need for some of his amendments, at one stage branding ministers "shameful" after being told one was "unnecessary".

Other MPs also voiced their frustration at the length of his speech, which finished after 148 minutes.

As his speech hit the two-hour mark, Liberal Democrat former health minister Norman Lamb said: "I have a very real concern - and I don't think it's his intention, but I hope it isn't - that we could end up this being talked out today, and the risk then that this Bill is lost.

"That would be a tragedy if that happened."

(Image: Mirror Screen Grab)

Mr Davies insisted the Bill would not be lost, and would progress on a future Friday sitting in a "better state" once the Government has looked at amendments.

Mr Davies pushed two of his amendments to a vote, both linked to training in appropriate use of force.

Amendment 11 was defeated by 47 votes to eight, majority 39, and amendment 12 was defeated by 49 votes to three, majority 46.

The Bill later progressed to third reading, the final Commons stage, where it was talked out by Conservative former minister Sir Christopher Chope.

The Christchurch MP was still speaking as the clock struck 2.30pm, meaning it had not formally completed the stage as debate was still considered to be ongoing.

It will return to the Commons on July 6, where third reading debate will resume.

After the 2.30pm deadline, there is an opportunity for bills to be waved through the initial debate stage without a vote - as long as nobody in the chamber voices an objection.

Every bill on today's order paper was either not moved, or blocked by an objection and delayed until July 6th - when they will be sent to the bottom of the list of bills to be debated.

"He is an absolute pr**k: Reaction to the bill being blocked

In a statement, campaigner Gina Martin said: "I am obviously extremely upset and disappointed that Sir (Christopher) Chope decided to object on this vitally important bill for the women of England and Wales.

"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 (junior minister) Lucy Frazer is committed to - and will - close this gap in the law.

"Ryan (Whelan, her lawyer), Wera (Hobhouse MP) and I will be meeting with Lucy shortly to discuss how we move forward together.

"Ryan and I have just spoken with Sir Christopher and he has agreed to meet with the two of us to discuss the bill.

"I'm positive and hopeful that he will become a supporter."

(Image: Alvin Williams/PA)

Speaking afterwards, Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse, who sponsored the bill, said: “Gina, her lawyer Ryan Whelan, and myself have worked with the 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.

“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 Christopher Chope to obstruct progress on this vital issue."

A Liberal Democrat source said: "Christopher Chope is an absolute pr**k.

"To sabotage this Bill is an outrage, though to be expected given his track record in opposing anything remotely resembling a progressive cause.

"Politics should have thrown him onto the scrapheap a long time ago.”

Richard Burgon MP, who backed the Bill, wrote on Twitter: "Disgusted to see that Tory MP Christopher Chope blocked the Upskirting Bill in Parliament today.

"Labour have supported this campaign from the start, it's time for the Government to bring legislation and not rely on Private Members Bills, which their own MPs have undermined."

A Government spokesman 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.

"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."