Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins has been suspended over allegations of sexually harassment as party leader Jeremy Corbyn faces criticism of his handling of the claims.
The Sun says Hopkins, 76, allegedly “rubbed his crotch against a party worker, 24, and pestered her with texts”. The complaint was filed about three years ago, but according to Sky News, new information emerged yesterday that prompted the suspension.
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 Daily Telegraph says that its journalists have seen text messages sent by the MP to Ava Etemadzadeh, now 27, in which he calls her “attractive” and says that a “nice young man would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend and lover… were I to be young”.
Hopkins “absolutely and categorically” denies claims of sexual harassment, the BBC reports. In a statement today, according to the BBC, the former shadow minister said: “I know how I roll. I don't squeeze women's buttocks... They're lying or they are wrong.”
Hopkins said he did not hold his accuser tight or run any part of his body against her, adding that there was nothing to suggest that she was upset when they parted.
Labour said it was taking the accusations “extremely seriously”, but the suspension dragged the party further into the Westminster saga.
Hopkins is the second Labour MP to be suspended, after Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara was accused of making misogynistic and homophobic comments online.
On Wednesday evening, Michael Fallon resigned as defence secretary, saying his behaviour had fallen short of expected standards. The Sun has since reported that Fallon told House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom that he had “a warm place for her cold hands”. Allies of the former defence secretary told The Guardian that he “fundamentally denied” making such a comment.
Trade Minister Mark Garnier also faces an official investigation after admitting he asked a former aide to buy him sex toys, while former Cabinet minister Stephen Crabb has apologised for sending explicit messages to a 19-year-old woman he interviewed for a job.
Theresa May’s deputy, Damian Green, is also being investigated over allegations about inappropriate behaviour towards a female journalist, which he denies.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
-
Are we facing a summer of riots?Today's Big Question Anti-immigrant unrest in Essex has sparked fears of a summer of disorder
-
Who stands to gain – and lose – from 16-year-old voters?Today's Big Question Many assume Labour will benefit but move could 'backfire' if Greens, a new hard-left party or Reform continue to pick up momentum
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Mortgage reform: is Rachel Reeves betting the house on City rules shake-up?Today's Big Question Reforms could create up to 36,000 additional mortgages next year
-
Corbynism returns: a new party on the LeftTalking Point Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's breakaway progressive party has already got off to a shaky start
-
How will Labour pay for welfare U-turn?Today's Big Question A dramatic concession to Labour rebels has left the government facing more fiscal dilemmas
-
Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?Today's Big Question Backbench rebellions and broken promises: is it getting harder to govern?
