Close X
Thursday, December 26, 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

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries
    "The new contract will see a number of changes for customers. These changes help the government reduce costs and ensure those who benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution," a government statement said.

    UK Government Begins Charging Visa Applicants For Email Enquiries

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister
    The son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015 will be the next Irish prime minister, after he was voted leader of the country’s main governing party.

    Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement
    CALGARY — Some business leaders in Canada expressed concerns Wednesday that the fallout from British Columbia's election is discouraging the private sector from investing in the province.

    Business Leaders Express Concern About Promises In B.C. NDP-Green Agreement

    Trump Administration Approves Tougher Visa Vetting, Including Social Media Checks

    Trump Administration Approves Tougher Visa Vetting, Including Social Media Checks
    The Trump administration has rolled out a new questionnaire for US visa applicants worldwide that asks for social media handles for the last five years and biographical information going back 15 years.

    Trump Administration Approves Tougher Visa Vetting, Including Social Media Checks

    Kulbhushan Jadhav Will Be Alive Till He Exhausts Clemency: Pakistan

    Kulbhushan Jadhav Will Be Alive Till He Exhausts Clemency: Pakistan
    Irrespective of ICJ's stay, Jadhav will remain alive until he has exhausted the right to request for clemency, initially with the COAS (army chief) and later with the President

    Kulbhushan Jadhav Will Be Alive Till He Exhausts Clemency: Pakistan

    90 Killed, 350 Injured In Huge Blast Near Indian Embassy In Kabul

    90 Killed, 350 Injured In Huge Blast Near Indian Embassy In Kabul
    The Afghan government's media centre has raised the death toll from the massive suicide truck bombing in Kabul to 90 killed.

    90 Killed, 350 Injured In Huge Blast Near Indian Embassy In Kabul