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MP cleared of breaking ministerial code 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 inappropriate behaviour. 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 said to have used derogatory language to his secretary and asked her to buy sex toys. 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".
The 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". 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".