Westminster sex scandal: Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins suspended
Hopkins ‘absolutely and categorically’ denies claims of sexual harassment
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.
Corbyn got caught up in the scandal after it emerged that he promoted Hopkins to the shadow cabinet “despite a young activist claiming the MP had sexually harassed her”, reports the Daily Mail.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Labour risking the 'special relationship'?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer forced to deny Donald Trump's formal complaint that Labour staffers are 'interfering' to help Harris campaign
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'McMahon finally seems to be paying a small price for his transgressions'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Men in Gray suits: why the plots against Starmer's top adviser?
Today's Big Question Increasingly damaging leaks about Sue Gray reflect 'bitter acrimony' over her role and power struggle in new government
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Who will replace Rishi Sunak as the next Tory leader?
In Depth Shortlist will be whittled down to two later today
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published