Close X
Friday, December 20, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin MP Lisa Nandy Confronts UK PM Theresa May On Sexual Abuse 'Cover-Up'

IANS, 02 Nov, 2017 11:53 AM
    An Indian-origin MP has accused British Prime Minister Theresa May of failing to act when she was tipped about a Westminster sexual abuse cover-up three years ago.
     
    Labour Party's Lisa Nandy made the allegation in a dramatic confrontation during the Prime Minister's presence in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
     
    She claimed she brought evidence to May three years ago when the latter was Home Secretary but no action was taken, the Independent reported.
     
    "Three years ago, I brought evidence to her in this House that Whips had used information about sexual abuse to demand loyalty from MPs," Nandy told the Commons.
     
    "I brought that information to her in this House and warned her at the time that unless real action was taken, we risk repeating those injustices again.
     
    "On three occasions, I asked her to act and on three occasions she did not. So can I ask her, in this of all weeks, for the fourth time, will she finally take concrete action to tackle this?"
     
    According to Commons records, Nandy raised the issue twice in 2014 in the chamber and then in a written question.
     
    Following her question in Parliament, the Wigan MP tweeted an extract of her exchange with May on the matter, dating from July 2014.
     
     
    It revealed that Nandy had told May that in the mid-1990s, a senior long-serving ex-Whip said the whips' office "routinely helped MPs with scandals" including those "involving small boys" in a bid to exert control and prevent problems for the government.
     
    Replying to the claim, May said: "I will of course look back at the questions that she has said that she raised with me in this House."
     
    Nandy's claim came amid a deepening scandal over sexual abuse in Parliament with Westminster staffers coming forward to make allegations of harassment, misconduct, assault and rape.
     
    The Tories hit the headlines in last few weeks with Minister Mark Garnier admitting he sent his secretary to buy sex toys. May's deputy Damian Green was accused of making advances on a younger writer.
     
    Labour MP Jared O'Mara was suspended last week because of sexist remarks made online. Senior activist Bex Bailey claimed she had been raped and discouraged from reporting the incident by senior Labour officials.
     
    More claims of harassment in Parliament emerged as a spreadsheet was leaked containing a list of 36 Tory MPs, including some ministers, who had been accused of misconduct.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Sherin Mathews Death Case: Indian-American Foster Father Facing Life Sentence, Say Police

    Sherin Mathews Death Case: Indian-American Foster Father Facing Life Sentence, Say Police
    Wesley has been charged with injury to a child, a felony punishable with a maximum 99 years in prison, Richardson police said.

    Sherin Mathews Death Case: Indian-American Foster Father Facing Life Sentence, Say Police

    New US Memo Makes It Tougher To Renew H-1B Visa

    New US Memo Makes It Tougher To Renew H-1B Visa
    The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that the burden of proof in establishing H-1B visa eligibility is, at all times, on the petitioner

    New US Memo Makes It Tougher To Renew H-1B Visa

    Australian University Celebrates Unique 'Festival Of India'

    Australian University Celebrates Unique 'Festival Of India'
    The unique festival, October 23-26, showcases not only the country's rich, cultural offerings but also its ground-breaking developments in innovation, finance, scientific research and economic growth.

    Australian University Celebrates Unique 'Festival Of India'

    Over A Dozen Booked After Assault On Sikh Leader Johar Singh At Qadian Gurdwara

    Over A Dozen Booked After Assault On Sikh Leader Johar Singh At Qadian Gurdwara
    The assault on Johar Singh, president of the managing committee of Chhota Ghallughara Gurdwara at Qadian, took place late on Monday night.

    Over A Dozen Booked After Assault On Sikh Leader Johar Singh At Qadian Gurdwara

    Two Indian Nationals Charged With Molesting Women In Singapore

    Two Indian Nationals Charged With Molesting Women In Singapore
    Dadyala Balwinder Singh, 30, allegedly molested a 37- year-old woman in a pub at Orchard Towers, one of the most popular spots along hotels on Orchard Road, The Straits Times reported today.

    Two Indian Nationals Charged With Molesting Women In Singapore

    Sherin Mathews' Father Admits to Killing 3-Year-Old: Police

    Sherin Mathews' Father Admits to Killing 3-Year-Old: Police
    The foster father of a 3-year-old Indian girl, who is missing for over two weeks, has told police that his daughter choked on milk and he "believed she had died", according to a media report on Tuesday.

    Sherin Mathews' Father Admits to Killing 3-Year-Old: Police