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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lily Waddell and Rachael Burford

Tory MP ‘watching porn on phone in Commons’ sparks investigation

Lord Tyrie was speaking in front of a House of Commons committee (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (Picture: PA Wire)

An investigation has been launched into claims a Tory MP watched pornography on his phone in the House of Commons chamber.

Conservative chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris confirmed the probe and described such behaviour as “wholly unacceptable”.

A women minister reportedly told colleagues about the incident at a meeting of Conservative MPs in Westminster on Tuesday and it was corroborated by a colleague.

A statement from the Conservative whips office said: “The chief whip is looking into this matter.

“This behaviour is wholly unacceptable and action will be taken.”

It has been alleged that the incident happened in the last few months.

Northern Ireland Minister Conor Burns described the behaviour as “wrong”.

He told BBC Politics Live: “I'm not going to even attempt to defend it.

“If the facts are established then action should be taken decisively,” he said.

The meeting where the allegation was made came amid reports that 56 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers, are facing allegations of sexual misconduct referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme.

It was attended by between 40 and 50 Tory MPs, including Mr Heaton-Harris.

Former prime minister Theresa May was also said to have attended, the Sun reported.

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