The wave of sleaze allegations sweeping Parliament will lead to a “clear-out” of sexual harassment at Westminster, Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said.
Ms Rudd insisted the end result of the spate of claims about inappropriate behaviour that has rocked politics will be positive.
The Home Secretary told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “I think it is something that will take place in terms of clearing out Westminster of that sort of behaviour.
“I think that Westminster afterwards, including the Government, will be better for it.
“When we are confident that men and women can work in a respectful environment and people who have been on the receiving end of abuse of power can come forward, that will be a positive thing.”
Jane Merrick alleged the incident took place after a lunch when she was a 29-year-old junior political reporter (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
The Home Secretary said Westminster was undergoing a “watershed moment”.
Ms Rudd described as “disgusting” an incident in which former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon is alleged to have lunged at a journalist and tried to kiss her on the lips.
The comments came after Jane Merrick alleged in The Observer that the incident took place after a 2003 lunch when she was a 29-year-old junior political reporter.
Asked if such behaviour was disgusting, Ms Rudd told Sky News: “I agree. Completely disgusting. Absolutely wrong. And it was right that he has stepped down.”
Ms Merrick contacted Downing Street about her claims just hours before Sir Michael’s shock resignation.
As the swirl of Westminster allegations continued to spiral, Conservative former minister Anna Soubry said the Prime Minister should call in Tory whips and find out what information they have on MPs.
“All the stuff that they know must be given to the Prime Minister and we must do things properly, and not behind the scenes, in some instances covering up, which is totally unacceptable.
“But also, when there are allegations, they go to the police or some other body immediately, so we don’t have people’s reputations trashed in the newspapers.
“Allegations of a criminal nature must go straight to the police.”
The Home Secretary denied that Tory whips keep a “black book” detailing the wrongdoings of MPs.
Ms Rudd told Sky News: “Of course the whips office should share the information with the Prime Minister, but I’m also saying there isn’t the, sort of, black book in operation that is sometimes suggested.”