The Suffolk branch of the Women’s Equality Party has asked for the Conservative Party investigation into Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter to make all its findings public.
Branch chair Nikki Packham said: “We at WEP Suffolk welcome the fact that Dr Poulter has been referred to the Conservative Party’s new disciplinary committee. His constituents need and deserve a transparent process if they are to have faith in the outcome.”
A spokeswoman for Dr Poulter did not want to comment on the intervention of the WEP following news that the MP had been referred to the Conservative Party’s new disciplinary committee.
The Sunday Times reported he faced allegations he had behaved inappropriately towards female MPs.
Dr Poulter has not been suspended by the Conservatives in parliament and is due in the House of Commons this week.
On Sunday his office issued a statement saying: “Dr Poulter denies all allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour and will vigorously defend himself against any such claims. The Sunday Times story is now in the hands of his lawyers.”
He has the full support of the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative Association. It is understood that his supporters, both in Suffolk and in Westminster, hope that the disciplinary committee carries out its work quickly.
Meanwhile Theresa May has defended her handling of the Westminster sleaze scandal as she called for a “new culture of respect” in public life.
The Prime Minister said a “number of issues” that “didn’t appear in the press” had led to action being taken, with MPs referred to the internal Tory grievance procedure.
Speaking at the CBI conference, Mrs May renewed calls for a new cross-party approach to tackling the problem.
Asked if she could say “hand on heart” that she had not been aware of sleaze allegations before the scandal broke, she said: “Obviously what has happened over the last week, a number of stories have appeared in the press.
“A number of issues were raised with me that didn’t appear in the press and action has been taken. A number of people have been referred to the Conservative Party’s grievance procedure.”
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