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Tory MP who blocked upskirting bill objects to women's conference Tory MP who blocked upskirting bill objects to women's conference
(35 minutes later)
Christopher Chope, the Conservative MP who achieved notoriety last month after blocking the progress of a bill to outlaw upskirting, has now used parliamentary procedure to obstruct a plan to use the Commons for a global women’s conference. Christopher Chope, the Conservative MP who achieved notoriety last month after blocking the progress of a bill to outlaw upskirting, has used parliamentary procedure to obstruct a plan to hold a global women’s conference in the Commons.
The veteran MP for Christchurch brought shouts of “shame” after he objected to the motion, read out in the Commons late on Monday, which would have allowed the venue to be used in the autumn for the Women MPs of the World conference. There were shouts of “shame” after the veteran MP for Christchurch objected to the motion, read out in the Commons late on Monday, which would have allowed the venue to be used in the autumn for the Women MPs of the World conference.
Chope later submitted an amendment to the motion which showed his objection was to prevent delegates who were not themselves parliamentarians potentially sitting in the Commons.
The plan was among a series of motions without debate being read out by the government whip, Mims Davies, at 11.30pm, at the end of business in the Commons.The plan was among a series of motions without debate being read out by the government whip, Mims Davies, at 11.30pm, at the end of business in the Commons.
If these are not objected to, they can be passed with an instant verbal vote. However, when Davies read out the motion, Chope shouted “object”, meaning it could not pass.If these are not objected to, they can be passed with an instant verbal vote. However, when Davies read out the motion, Chope shouted “object”, meaning it could not pass.
Immediately afterwards the international development secretary Penny Mordaunt, who also holds the equalities brief for the government, walked quickly to where Chope was sitting on the Conservative backbenches and began what looked like an angry conversation with him. Immediately afterwards the international development secretary, Penny Mordaunt, who also holds the equalities brief for the government, walked quickly to where Chope was sitting on the Conservative backbenches and began what looked like an angry conversation with him.
Chope prompted significant criticism, including from many fellow Tory MPs, when he used a similar shout of “object” to delay the progress of a private members bill put forward by the Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse. The motion has been resubmitted for consideration on Tuesday, put forward by Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the house, as well as Labour’s Harriet Harman, among others.
Chope, along with fellow Tory backbencher Desmond Swayne, have submitted an amendment to the motion, seeking to change the wording to ensure that only delegates to the conference who are themselves parliamentarians can use the Commons for the event.
Chope said: “The purpose of the amendment is to tighten up the language of the original motion.”
Chope prompted significant criticism, including from many fellow Tory MPs, when his objection delayed the progress of a private member’s bill put forward by the Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse.
The voyeurism (offences) bill would make upskirting – the taking of surreptitious, sexually intrusive images – a specific offence, punishable by up to two years in prison.The voyeurism (offences) bill would make upskirting – the taking of surreptitious, sexually intrusive images – a specific offence, punishable by up to two years in prison.
The bill followed 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.The bill followed 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 said he was unfairly criticised, saying he supported the bill and only objected to it for procedural reasons. The government later announced it would take on the bill, meaning it will progress. Chope said he was unfairly criticised, saying he supported the bill and only objected for procedural reasons. The government later announced it would take on the bill, meaning it will progress.
The new measure obstructed by Chope proposed allowing the Commons to be used by delegates participating in the Women MPs of the World Conference on a non-sitting day in November. The new measure obstructed by Chope proposed allowing the Commons to be used by conference delegates on a non-sitting day in November.
The motion said that the conference “provides a unique opportunity to gather parliamentarians from across the world to engage in discussions about equal representation and bring about social change”. The motion said Women MPs of the World “provides a unique opportunity to gather parliamentarians from across the world to engage in discussions about equal representation and bring about social change”.
Stephen Doughty, the Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, who was in the Commons when Chope blocked the conference, said: “Just what is Christopher Chope’s reasoning for these anti-women actions?Stephen Doughty, the Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, who was in the Commons when Chope blocked the conference, said: “Just what is Christopher Chope’s reasoning for these anti-women actions?
“Just weeks ago he was trying to block the sick practice of upskirting. Last night he was trying to block women at an international conference using the Commons chamber - despite it already being used by other groups - just after voting against an equal number of women for a commons committee. He needs to realise we live in the 21st century not the Stone Age.” “Just weeks ago he was trying to block the sick practice of upskirting. Last night he was trying to block women at an international conference using the Commons chamber – despite it already being used by other groups – just after voting against an equal number of women for a Commons committee. He needs to realise we live in the 21st century not the stone age.”
Chope was contacted for comment. The shadow equalities minister, Dawn Butler, said:“In the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, the Women MPs of the World conference is an opportunity to celebrate women’s suffrage and renew our commitment to fighting for equality and social justice. If Theresa May is the feminist that she claims to be then she needs to call out this sexist behaviour in her own party.”
House of CommonsHouse of Commons
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