MP calls for staff to be kicked out of parliament at 6pm

Staff should be kicked out of Parliament at 6pm and bars should be closed to end the sex abuse danger, a Tory MP said today.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries said there was a ‘cultural problem’ in Westminster with politicians ‘who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don’t’.

She insisted it was time for the exclusive venues to be shut down, adding: ‘Westminster is a workplace.’

The call came with Westminster gripped by the gathering scandal over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries (pictured in the Commons) said there was a ‘cultural problem’ in Westminster with politicians ‘who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don’t’

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs' staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs’ staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

MPs from across parties are facing claims of inappropriate or even criminal behaviour – with warnings that there could end up being hundreds of cases.

There are around a dozen bars on the parliamentary estate. Drinks are considerably cheaper than in nearby pubs as the taxpayer subsidises the overheads.

Ms Dorries said today: ‘There is a cultural problem in Westminster. It’s complex. MPs who work late sharing restaurants /bars with young researchers who don’t. 

‘Time for MPs staff to leave the premises at 6pm and for places like the sports and social club to be closed down. Westminster is a workplace 

‘Staff remain on Westminster premises drinking whilst MPs voting. Why? Plenty of pubs around London. No other workplace provides bars.’ 

The Mid Bedforshire MP added on Twitter: ‘Absolutely no reason whatsoever why any MPs staff should work past 6pm.’ 

The comments came as Damian Green, the first secretary of state, was referred to the cabinet secretary by Downing Street after it was claimed he sent the woman a text message about how he had admired her in a corset.

Kate Maltby, a critic and academic involved in Conservative politics, revealed the message and described a meeting between them in a bar where they discussed sexual affairs within parliament.

The revelations emerged after Mr Green was named as being on the Westminster sexual harassment dossier over highly disputed historical claims he used an adultery website.

He vehemently denies any wrongdoing. 

Meanwhile, a prominent Labour activist has claimed she was raped at a party event and accused senior figures of failing to act.

Damian Green, the first secretary of state, was referred to the cabinet secretary by Downing Street after it was claimed he sent the woman a text message about how he had admired her in a corset. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing

Damian Green, the first secretary of state, was referred to the cabinet secretary by Downing Street after it was claimed he sent the woman a text message about how he had admired her in a corset. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing

Bex Bailey, a former member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme, she informed party officials about the incident two years after it happened.

Separately a Westminster staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it.

The alleged victim, who spoke anonymously and did not identify which party the MP was from, said the man forced himself on her in a hotel room last year.

But when she and a senior colleague reported it to several authorities, she claimed they refused to act, adding that officials ‘at best turned a blind eye and at worst actively covered it up’. 

 

 

 

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