The accusations of inappropriate touching against Stanley Johnson
MP Caroline Nokes and a senior journalist say prime minister's father ‘smacked’ and ‘groped’ them

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The prime minister’s father has been accused of inappropriately touching a former minister and a political journalist.
Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, claimed Stanley Johnson smacked her on the bottom at the 2003 Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool. At the time Nokes was the prospective parliamentary candidate for Romsey, a seat she went on to win in 2010.
Speaking at a cross-party panel discussion hosted by Sky News, she said: “I can remember a really prominent man – at the time the Conservative candidate for Teignbridge in Devon – smacking me on the backside about as hard as he could and going, ‘Oh, Romsey, you’ve got a lovely seat’.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The candidate was Stanley Johnson – Boris Johnson’s father – who failed in his attempt to be elected as an MP in 2005.
Nokes continued: “I would have been in my early 30s, so old enough, old enough to call it out… I now regard it as a duty, an absolute duty, to call out wherever you see it.
“Be the noisy, aggravating, aggressive woman in the room because if I’m not prepared to do that, then my daughter won’t be prepared to do that… you do get to a point where you go, ‘up with this, I will not put’.”
After the interview, Ailbhe Rea, political correspondent for The New Statesman, tweeted that Johnson had “groped” her at a party at the Conservative conference in 2019.
“I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister’s father.”
Sky News approached Johnson for comment about the allegation. He told the broadcaster: “I have no recollection of Caroline Nokes at all – but there you go. And no reply… Hey ho, good luck and thanks.”
The panel also featured three other senior MPs discussing what changes could be made to end sexual harassment and violence in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder. Labour MPs Jess Phillips and Rosena Allin-Khan and the Conservative MP Fay Jones also recounted their experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace and in public.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Will Rishi Sunak's green wedge issue win over the public?
Today's Big Question The PM draws dividing line with Labour on net zero ahead of the next general election
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Industry backlash as Sunak set to water down green pledges
Speed Read Automotive and energy bosses look for clarity after PM backs away from UK net zero goal
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
October by-elections: what's at stake for Labour, Lib Dems and Tories
Parties will contest two former safe Tory seats on 19 October, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Jobs for the boys: does the UK need a minister for men?
Conservative MP calls for dedicated cabinet role to combat 'crisis' in men's mental health and education
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Potential fifth by-election headache for Rishi Sunak after Chris Pincher report
Speed Read Former Conservative whip faces suspension from the House of Commons over sexual misconduct
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
The make-or-break by-elections facing Rishi Sunak
feature The resignation of Boris Johnson and his allies Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams spells trouble for PM
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Post-Partygate: time for a Cabinet reshuffle?
Talking Point Rishi Sunak may be ready to promote ‘younger faces’ after Boris Johnson drama
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Has populism had its day in the UK?
Today's Big Question Trump-style politics may be on the wane in the UK but it has cast a long shadow over Westminster
By Sorcha Bradley Published