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Tory MP Christopher Chope blocks progress of upskirting bill Tory MP Christopher Chope blocks progress of upskirting bill
(35 minutes later)
A bill backed by the government that would make the taking of upskirt photographs a criminal offence has been delayed after a single Conservative MP objected to it in the Commons, delaying its progress. A bill to make upskirting a specific criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison has been blocked in the House of Commons after a single Conservative MP objected to it.
Sir Christopher Chope, the MP for Christchurch since 1997, also used the Commons session on Friday to delay another government-backed bill, which would make it an offence to attack police dogs or horses, or prison officer dogs. The voyeurism (offences) bill on upskirting – the taking of surreptitious, sexually intrusive images – was put forward by the Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse after a campaign by Gina Martin. Police have declined to prosecute a man Martin accused of taking underskirt pictures of her on his phone at a music festival in London last summer.
Chope’s actions on the bill to criminalise what is known as upskirting prompted a furious reaction from some of his fellow Tory MPs, and the government promised As a private member’s bill it would normally have little chance of becoming law. But early on Friday the justice minister Lucy Frazer said the government would back the bill.
Both were among a series of private member’s bills being given their second reading. If no MP disagrees they are passed without a vote and can be given a date for their third reading. However, when the deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle read out the name of the bill later that day, the Tory MP Christopher Chope shouted: “Object”. Without sufficient time in the sessions for a proper vote it was sent back for another try on 6 July.
The MP for Christchurch also used the Commons session to delay another government-backed bill, which would make it an offence to attack police dogs or horses, or prison officer dogs.
Both were among a series of private member’s bills being given their second reading in the Commons on Friday. If no MP disagrees they are passed without a vote and can be given a date for their third reading.
Christopher Chope first entered parliament 35 years ago. In the intervening time he has become known primarily for three things: his socially illiberal views, making lavish expenses claims, and for trying to torpedo private members’ bills.Christopher Chope first entered parliament 35 years ago. In the intervening time he has become known primarily for three things: his socially illiberal views, making lavish expenses claims, and for trying to torpedo private members’ bills.
The MP for Christchurch in Dorset since 1997 – from 1983 to 1992 he represented Southampton Itchen but then spent five years out of parliament – has repeatedly voted against equal marriage and gay rights.The MP for Christchurch in Dorset since 1997 – from 1983 to 1992 he represented Southampton Itchen but then spent five years out of parliament – has repeatedly voted against equal marriage and gay rights.
In 2009 a much-reported leak of MPs’ expenses showed Chope, who employs his wife as his secretary, claimed almost £900 to have a Chesterfield sofa taken from his London home and repaired in his ​Dorset​constituency. He also claimed £13,000 to refurbish the London property.In 2009 a much-reported leak of MPs’ expenses showed Chope, who employs his wife as his secretary, claimed almost £900 to have a Chesterfield sofa taken from his London home and repaired in his ​Dorset​constituency. He also claimed £13,000 to refurbish the London property.
Chope’s speciality in the Commons has been filibustering or otherwise blocking bills. In 2013 he delayed a bill to posthumously pardon the second world war code breaker Alan Turing. The following year he “talked out” a bill intended to stop the eviction of tenants who complained about their housing. In 2011 he tried to block a debate on the Hillsborough disaster.Chope’s speciality in the Commons has been filibustering or otherwise blocking bills. In 2013 he delayed a bill to posthumously pardon the second world war code breaker Alan Turing. The following year he “talked out” a bill intended to stop the eviction of tenants who complained about their housing. In 2011 he tried to block a debate on the Hillsborough disaster.
In both cases, when the deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle read the names of the bills Chope shouted: “Object.” Without sufficient time in the sessions for a proper vote they were both sent back for another attempt on 6 July. Chope’s actions prompted a furious reaction from some of his fellow Tory MPs, and the government promised it would seek to push the upskirting bill through. A spokesman said: “While we are disappointed this bill did not pass second reading today, we look forward to supporting these measures through the house at the earliest possible opportunity.”
The bill on upskirting, the surreptitious taking of sexually intrusive photographs, was put forward by the Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse following a campaign by Gina Martin. Police declined to prosecute a man whom Martin accused of taking pictures up her skirt on his phone at a music festival in Hyde Park in London last summer. Hobhouse said she was furious at Chope’s actions, which prompted calls of “shame”, including from the Tory front benches.
As a private member’s bill, the voyeurism (offences) bill would normally have little chance of becoming law. However, earlier on Friday the justice minister Lucy Frazer said the government would support it. “I don’t think he actually has any substantive problems with the bill,” Hobhouse told the Guardian. “He hardly knows what upskirting is, I think. It’s just he doesn’t like private member’s bills and certainly doesn’t like them when they come from other parties.
Hobhouse said she was furious at Chope’s actions, which prompted calls of “shame”, including from the government benches.
“I don’t think he actually has any substantive problems with the bill,” Hobhouse told the Guardian. “He hardly knows what upskirting is, I think. It’s just he doesn’t like private members bills and certainly doesn’t like them when they come from other parties.
“It was meant to be a good news story. We were all lining up to say, this is a modern crime and the government is keeping up with crime created by modern technology, which particularly affects young women and children. It is very, very annoying and frustrating that objections to procedure take precedence for him over the right thing to do.”“It was meant to be a good news story. We were all lining up to say, this is a modern crime and the government is keeping up with crime created by modern technology, which particularly affects young women and children. It is very, very annoying and frustrating that objections to procedure take precedence for him over the right thing to do.”
Hobhouse said she had learned Chope planned to protest shortly beforehand: “I tried to talk to him as he was sitting in the chamber, but his body language was very negative and he didn’t want to talk to me.”Hobhouse said she had learned Chope planned to protest shortly beforehand: “I tried to talk to him as he was sitting in the chamber, but his body language was very negative and he didn’t want to talk to me.”
Chope also faced vehement criticism from some fellow Tory MPs. “Chris Chope has embarrassed himself with his actions in Parliament today, and does not speak for me or Conservatives on the disgusting issue of upskirting”, tweeted the Middlesbrough South MP Simon Clark. Her anger was shared by Tory MPs, includingSimon Clarke, who tweeted: “Chris Chope has embarrassed himself with his actions in parliament today, and does not speak for me or Conservatives on the disgusting issue of upskirting.”
Paul Masterton, who represents East Renfrewshire, said: “Do not underestimate just how furious many Tory MPs are about this. This kind of thing does far more damage to the public’s view of our party than endless debates about customs arrangements.” Fellow Conservative Paul Masterton said: “Do not underestimate just how furious many Tory MPs are about this. This kind of thing does far more damage to the public’s view of our party than endless debates about customs arrangements.”
After the bill was delayed, Martin said she was upset and disappointed but remained positive. “It’s shameful, it’s annoying. It’s not the end of the road but I’m very angry,” Martin told Sky News. After the bill was blocked, she said she remained positive.
“We knew this was a risk, but I now stand with powerful, passionate women and men behind me, and I am confident that (junior minister) Lucy Frazer is committed to, and will, close this gap in the law,” she said in a statement. “We knew this was a risk, but I now stand with powerful, passionate women and men behind me, and I am confident that Lucy Frazer is committed to, and will, close this gap in the law,” Martin said.
Martin said both she and her lawyer, Ryan Whelan, had spoken to Chope and he had agreed to meet them to discuss the bill. “I’m positive and hopeful that he will become a supporter.” She said both she and her lawyer, Ryan Whelan, had spoken to Chope and he had agreed to meet them to discuss the bill. “I’m positive and hopeful that he will become a supporter.”
Before the reading of the bills, another Tory MP, Philip Davies, spoke for two hours without halt. The leader of the Women’s Equality party, Sophie Walker,hinted that Chope could have made himself a political target. “Now looking v closely at Christopher Chope’s constituency of Christchurch, Dorset. If he won’t represent or respect women, there’s one party that will.” Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, said he was disgusted by Chope’s move and called on the government to formally adopt the bill. Dawn Butler, the shadow equalities minister, said Theresa May had to “show leadership, and show there’s no place in the Tory party for Christopher Chope”.
Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, said he was “disgusted” at Chope’s move and called on the government to formally adopt the bill. Last year Chope proposed 47 private member’s’ bills of his own.
The fate is even less clear for the animal welfare (service animals) bill, introduced by the Conservative MP Sir Oliver Heald. The fate is even less clear for the animal welfare (service animals) bill. Backed by Michael Gove, the environment secretary, it amends the 2006 Animal Welfare Act to make it a specific offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal “under the control of a relevant officer”, such as a police or prison officer. The bill also removes the provision for someone to claim they were acting in self defence if they harmed a service animal.
Backed by the environment secretary, Michael Gove, it amends the 2006 Animal Welfare Act by making it a specific offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal “under the control of a relevant officer”, such as a police or prison officer. It also removes the current provision for someone to claim they were acting in self defence if they harmed a service animal. It was introduced by Sir Oliver Heald, the Tory MP for North East Hertfordshire, after a police dog called Finn was stabbed by a robbery suspect in 2016.
It was introduced by Heald, the MP for North East Hertfordshire, after a police dog called Finn was stabbed by a robbery suspect in 2016. Heald tweeted his disappointment at Chope’s decision and added he had met his fellow MP to try to get his support.
Heald tweeted that he was disappointed at Chope’s decision and had met his fellow MP to try to get his support.
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