Boris Johnson news – live: Neil Parish vows to stay on as MP after ‘porn-watching’ claims
Opposition parties have called on him to resign as MP for Tiverton and Honiton in east Devon
A Tory who had the whip withdrawn over claims that he watched pornography in Parliament has vowed to stay on as MP.
Neil Parish – who was today identified as the accused – was suspended from the House of Commons pending an investigation into the claims. He has referred himself for investigation by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone.
Opposition parties have called on him to resign as MP for Tiverton and Honiton in east Devon.
But in a statement released on his website, the Commons environment committee chair said he hopes to continue with his work as an MP at least until the probe ends.
He said: “I will be cooperating fully with any investigation, and whilst it is ongoing I will continue to perform my duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton. I will not be making further comments at this stage.”
The allegations against Mr Parish were made by a female MP earlier this week. She said she had been sat next to a male MP inside the chamber when she noticed he was watching pornographic content on his phone.
Minority of men in politics 'behave like animals', says minister
Cabinet minister Suella Braverman on Thursday said a minority of men in politics “behave like animals” which brings disrepute to the parliament.
Referring to the “reprehensible” incident of a Tory MP allegedly watching porn in the House of Commons, Ms Braverman said she was “shocked and appalled”, telling BBC’s Woman’s Hour she was also “ashamed this person is carrying the Conservative rosette”.
“My personal experience, I have to say, is that on no occasion have I been made to feel uncomfortable, and all the men that I’ve worked with have been respectful, courteous, and supportive,” she said.
“There is, however, a very small minority of men, and it is men, who fall short and there are some bad apples who are out of order, who behave like animals and are bringing parliament into disrepute to be honest,” the minister added.
Ashley Cowburn reports.
Suella Braverman says minority of men in politics ‘behave like animals’
Labour tells Tories to discipline ‘porn MP’ now
Labour has urged the government to take immediate action against the MP who watched porn in the Commons, instead of leaving it to an independent investigation.
The Tories have referred the controversy to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (IGS) – promising “appropriate action” if the allegation is proved.
“This is an unusual case because the Tory Party knows who this individual is,” Labour leader Keir Starmer said on the local elections campaign trail in Cumbria.
“I think that they should deal with it and deal with it sooner rather than later and take appropriate action. So, nothing wrong with the independent process, but I think the Tory Party, they know who this is, they should take action now,” Sir Keir added.
PM under pressure to act swiftly on ‘porn-watching’ MP
Conservatives have raised questions over prime minister Boris Johnson’s delay in opening an inquiry against an MP who allegedly watched porn in the House of Commons.
The Tories have suggested that an independent complaints scheme investigate the controversy, but admitted only witnesses, not third parties, can trigger an inquiry in parliament.
One Tory MP said they had expected the party to “grasp this with both hands and withdraw the whip from whoever it is immediately”.Caroline Nokes, a former minister, protested that in asking officials in parliament to investigate, instead of taking tough action itself, her party is “kicking it into the long grass”.
Rob Merrick reports.
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