Boris Johnson says watching porn in the House of Commons is 'unacceptable'
It's an issue at the heart of our democracy and there is an acceptance on all sides that things need to change, reports Shehab Khan
Boris Johnson has said watching pornography in the House of Commons is "clearly unacceptable" after one of his MPs was accused of viewing X-rated content in the chamber.
The prime minister told broadcasters that Parliament's independent complaints and grievances procedure "needs to be activated and we need to get to understand the facts" over what happened.
It comes after female Tories made allegations to the chief whip about the unnamed MP at a meeting on Tuesday, which came amid reports that 56 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers, are facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Conservative Party's chief whip has ordered an investigation to establish whether the Tory actually viewed pornography during a Commons debate, and if so, why.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said it's "unacceptable to watch porn in any workplace, let alone in the House of Commons" and welcomed the investigation being carried out by chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris.
It was claimed the MP was spotted viewing pornography on their mobile phone in the Commons chamber while colleagues were engaged in debate.
Mr Heaton-Harris called for the case to be referred to Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) which investigates allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.
The disciplinary process could lead to a recommendation that the MP is suspended or forced out of the Commons if a complaint is upheld.
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested there is no need for an investigation because the Tory party knows the identity of the MP facing allegations.
"I think that they should deal with it and deal with it sooner rather than later and take appropriate action.
"So, nothing wrong with the independent process, but I think the Tory Party, they know who this is, they should take action now."
Sir Keir also responded to allegations of sexism against an unnamed Labour frontbencher made by a female Welsh MP, who wanted to remain anonymous.
The Labour shadow cabinet member is accused of telling the female MP that she was a “secret weapon” because men wanted to sleep with her and women wanted to be her friend.
The MP who made the allegations told the BBC that identifying herself and lodging an official complaint was not in her best interests.
Sir Keir said: "I'm deeply concerned to hear these suggestions and these allegations.
"There is a complaints procedure and I want everybody to have the confidence to use that complaints procedure because I would want to get to the bottom of this and do something about it."
Defence Secretary Wallace told ITV News MPs who break the rules should be "dealt with and disciplined" and "if this [porn] case if proved, they should lose the party whip".
Rachel Maclean, the Home Office minister responsible for safeguarding women, called for the MP to be expelled from the Conservative Party, saying the alleged behaviour was "shocking and unacceptable".
A spokesperson for Mr Heaton-Harris said: "Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the House of Commons the chief whip has asked that this matter be referred to the ICGS.
"Upon the conclusion of any ICGS investigation the chief whip will take appropriate action."
Under the ICGS an investigator would examine the case and Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone would then make a decision.
In a serious case like this a sanction would normally be decided by the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which would also hear any appeal.
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Only witnesses to the pornography-viewing could make a complaint about the MP under the ICGS.
Brexit Opportunities Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said he expected a complaint to be lodged because the allegations are "so extraordinary".
Prime Minister Johnson previously told the Commons "sexual harassment is intolerable" and "of course sexual harassment is grounds for dismissal" when asked about reports that 56 MPs are facing claims of sexual misconduct.