In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster, Ms Harman said: “There are a lot of men saying this has been blown out of all proportion, it’s a witch hunt. No, it’s not a witch hunt, it’s long overdue.”<\/p>\n
The Labour MP believes that the UK Parliament has a “sea change opportunity” to help those who speak out.<\/p>\n
She also said: “If you point your finger at a powerful man, they won’t just sit there, they will fight back. So there will be some backlash about this amongst the corridors [of Westminster].”<\/p>\n
Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday morning, that the scandal is turning into a “witch hunt”, and urged people not to rush judgement. <\/p>\n
He said: \u201dI don’t think there’s anybody who would seek to defend rape or sexual abuse in the context there’s no proof that I can see yet of any wrongdoing. How does a member of Parliament refute that?”<\/p>\n
His comments on BBC Radio 4\u2019s Today Programme follow the allegations against defence secretary, Michael Fallon, who resigned from the cabinet last Wednesday, and the circulation of a spreadsheet detailing claims against 40 Tory MPs, almost all unverified, on social media.<\/p>\n
Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, told BBC Breakfast that the House of Commons lacks a structured system for complaints. <\/p>\n
She claims the policy around sexual harassment are “lax if not non-existent”.<\/p>\n
“In this sense it needs to get into line. Other big companies have a sexual harassment policy, they have a staff handbook. All those things do not exist for MPs.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Friday, the Conservatives updated their code of conduct and are immediately employing a new complaints policy.<\/p>\n
Mrs May will be meeting with opposition party leaders on Monday to discuss proposals for a new grievance procedure for MPs and Westminster staff. <\/p>\n
Words:Ainaa Mashrique| Subbing:Rituja Rao<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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