A female Member of Parliament has alleged that she was touched inappropriately by another MP. The politician claimed it happened on a trip to a European country last year which was organized by an all-party parliamentary group, cross-party groups of MPs and peers.
She told Politico that she reported the man, who is said to be more than 25 years older than her, to his party whips because she lacked confidence in Parliament’s complaints process.
The female MP also said she did not believe a complaint would result in any consequences for him, Politico reports.
She said about the trip: “What I was struck by is how much alcohol was consumed — pretty much every night till two or three in the morning.”
The politician added that she had avoided the late-night drinking sessions because she thought it inappropriate and said she would not necessarily have felt safe.
They are subject to less strict rules than House of Commons select committees.
MPs have told Politico that while some colleagues have a valid interest in developing relations with these countries, others view the trips as jollies.
Local officials of British overseas territories claimed some MPs had participated in parties at which young men and women were “supplied” for sexual activities, Politico reports.
It has got to the point where overseas officials have grown wary of MPs asking foreign governments for an expenses paid trip.
MPs do not receive payment for attending APPGs. Trips are not subject to a formal, reporting procedure.
A female member of a number of APPGs claimed the groups are usually dominated by male Labor and Tory backbenchers who fix it so they can control the groups going to “nice” places.
A House of Commons standards committee report warned this year that APPGs could “represent the next great parliamentary scandal”.
The committee recommended reducing the number of APPGs and bringing in a “gatekeeper” to monitor them.
