A Cabinet minister and a top aide have continued to serve in Boris Johnson's government despite sexual misconduct allegations against them, according to reports.
Two women claimed they were assaulted and groped by high-profile figures who are now in senior roles in Downing Street.
One woman, a former Tory party staff member, opened up about what happened to her after claiming an MP who is now a minister sexually assaulted her.
Speaking on the Sky News Open Secret podcast she said: "I was sexually assaulted by someone who’s now a cabinet minister, and I was in my early 20s and didn’t really know how to deal with it.
"I was super drunk. He’s feeding me more wine and I’m already quite obviously tanked. After a while, I was like 'you know, what, would you mind if I just went to bed?' So I went to bed. But obviously he didn’t leave me alone. And then I woke up the next morning and I realised what had happened."
The woman was encouraged to report the incident to police after being urged by her colleagues and the MP she was working for at the time. Following discussions with cops she decided against proceeding further and didn't make a complaint to the Conservative Party.
She said: "I was too scared to kickstart that process and risk it spiralling out of control."
A spokesperson for the Tory party said: "We have an established code of conduct and complaints procedure where people can report complaints in confidence. We take any complaint seriously. If an allegation of criminal wrongdoing is raised, we would always advise the individual to contact the police."
In a separate incident a former aide claimed she was groped by a Downing Street employee before he was given a top job in Boris Johnson's government. The woman made a number of complaints about his appointment in government, however he remained in post.
She said: "I heard that he was going to get a job in Downing Street. I raised it with a number of people. Nothing happened. So I then formally complained to the Cabinet Office.
"I just felt the responsibility to do it again, partly because the office he’s going to be working in is full of women. And I just thought he’d do it again."
Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols told Sky News that proceeding with complaints could hinder job prospects.
She added: "In order to survive in Westminster you do have to rely on that whisper network. Ultimately. It’s never going to be 100 per cent effective. You know, some of the most dangerous people are probably the last people that you’d ever suspect."
Nichols also opened up about her own experience, she said: "I have been repeatedly propositioned by an MP who is old enough to be my grandfather and sometimes in front of other colleagues who have either laughed it off or said nothing when he’s done it.
"I know from speaking to other people that, you know, this is not uncommon behaviour for him … It’s something that he clearly feels emboldened to do, that he feels entitled to do."
A government spokesperson said: "We take allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and there are robust procedures in place to raise concerns. All ministerial appointments also follow established processes."
On the second allegation, the spokesperson added: "All prospective government employees are subject to necessary checks and vetting. We do not comment on individuals."
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