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Tory MP Mark Garnier cleared of sexual misconduct allegations | |
(35 minutes later) | |
MP Mark Garnier has been cleared of breaking the ministerial code after a Cabinet Office investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. | |
International trade minister Mark Garnier was also said to have used derogatory language to his secretary and asked her to buy sex toys in 2010. | |
The investigation concluded there was "no evidence" to suggest he had broken the rules. | The investigation concluded there was "no evidence" to suggest he had broken the rules. |
Theresa May said "a line should be drawn under the issue". | Theresa May said "a line should be drawn under the issue". |
Mark Garnier said he does not intend to comment on the outcome of the inquiry. | |
The allegations regarding his secretary, Caroline Edmondson, from before he became a minister in 2016, came to light in October. | |
Ms Edmondson, who now works for another MP, told The Mail on Sunday he had given her money to buy two vibrators at a Soho sex shop. | |
She was quoted as saying that on another occasion in a bar, in front of witnesses, he told her: "You are going nowhere, sugar tits." | |
The Mail reported that Mr Garnier had admitted the claims, saying: "I'm not going to deny it, because I'm not going to be dishonest. I'm going to have to take it on the chin." | |
The Cabinet Office investigation said there was "no dispute about the facts of the incident", but there was "a significant difference of interpretation between the parties", leaving a member of staff "distressed". | |
A No 10 spokesman said Mr Garnier had apologised "unreservedly". | A No 10 spokesman said Mr Garnier had apologised "unreservedly". |