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| File photo: Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May |
British Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered an investigation into a report that one of her ministers asked a female secretary to buy sex toys for him, as she tries to tackle a culture of sexual harassment in politics.
Mark Garnier, a junior international trade minister, asked secretary Caroline Edmondson to buy two sex toys and he also called her โsugar titsโ, the Mail on Sunday reported.
Garnier told the newspaper that the comment was part of an amusing conversation about a television show, and that asking her to buy the toys was โgood humoured high jinksโ.
Edmondson, in comments to the paper, disputed Garnierโs recollection of the incidents, including his assertion that they were โhigh jinksโ.
Garnier was not immediately available for comment to Reuters through his constituency or parliamentary offices.
The report comes after Mayโs spokeswoman said on Friday any unwanted sexual behaviour was โcompletely unacceptableโ and any minister who acted inappropriately would face โserious actionโ.
She was reacting to a report in another British newspaper that described a culture of sexual harassment among lawmakers and their staff working in parliament.
Health Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Sunday May had asked officials to investigate if Garnier, whose role is outside the cabinet immediately surrounding the May, had broken the government ministersโ code of behaviour.
โThese stories, if they are true, are obviously totally unacceptable,โ Hunt told BBC television.
โThe Cabinet Office will be conducting an investigation as to whether there has been a breach of the ministerial code in this particular case, but as you know the facts are disputed.โ
May will also write to John Bercow, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, to ask for his advice about changing the culture there, Hunt said.
Reports of inappropriate behaviour in British politics, and in other industries, have followed dozens of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove apologised on Saturday after he likened being interviewed by a BBC radio presenter to entering Weinsteinโs bedroom. After the analogy was widely criticised, Gove apologised for what he said was a โclumsy attempt at humourโ.
The Sun newspaper said on Friday that women working in politics in Westminster had created a WhatsApp instant messaging group to discuss their experiences of harassment and warn others about potential perpetrators.
โThe prime minister was very clear when we responded to the reports about Harvey Weinstein in the last few weeks that any unwanted sexual behaviour is completely unacceptable, and that is true in any walk of life including politics,โ Mayโs spokeswoman said on Friday.
