‘Too many women are having their careers dented’ in Westminster, warns ex-PM speechwriter
TOO many women are having their careers dented and losing confidence amid the Westminster sexual harassment scandal, a former speechwriter for David Cameron has warned.
Ian Birrell made the remarks on Westminster's toxic culture while speaking to BBC Newsnight
Ian Birrell made the remarks on Westminster's toxic culture while speaking to BBC Newsnight.
Mr Birrell said: “I think this is a very big crisis.
"People have compared it to the expenses scandal but I think it actually goes much beyond that.
“This is not a party political issue. It is a political issue.
"It gets right to the heart of our culture and our society.
“What we are seeing here in Parliament is a glimpse of a problem, a problem in which too many men in powerful positions think they can abuse their positions.
“And too many women are having their careers dented, their confidence ruined, are having their aspirations to engage in the political system devastated and destroyed.”
Earlier this week a Labour Party staffer claimed sexual abuse is "endemic" within their ranks and that the complaints procedure is not fit for purpose.
Earlier this week a Labour Party staffer claimed sexual abuse is "endemic" within their ranks
Labour activist Bex Bailey opens up about sexual assault
Meanwhile, a list of at least 34 Conservative politicians accused of sexual misconduct circulated by Tory aides was leaked to the press.
But, before the list was revealed, a group of half a dozen Labour women had set up a campaign called “LabourToo”.
A Labour staffer told the Politico website: “It’s endemic. A friend had the same experience – serious sexual harassment from an MP.
“The party did nothing. It’s never been in anyone’s interests to sort it out.”
Labour party suspends Kelvin Hopkins over allegations
Labour has received new sex abuse claims since activist Bex Bailey claimed she was raped in 2011 at a Party event by a senior Party member when she was 19-years-old.
She says she was advised against reporting the incident because she was told it would affect her career.
Labour is launching an independent investigation into Ms Bailey’s allegations.