<p>An MP from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has been accused of watching pornography&nbsp;at the House of Commons chambers.</p>

<p>According to reports, a female minister saw the unnamed parliamentarian viewing porno material on his phone in the chamber.</p>

<p>The minister said that the incident took place last week, The Times reported.</p>

<p>The claims were made at a meeting on Tuesday night during which female Conservative MPs shared accounts of alleged sexism and harassment, BBC reported.</p>

<p>Conservative MP Pauline Latham told BBC that several MP's who were at the meeting were “shell shocked” and “couldn't believe something like that could happen in what's really a professional place”.</p>

<p>She also said that the man would lose his job and a position at the Conservative Party if the accusations were proven to be true.</p>

<p>The matter has now been referred to a parliamentary Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme for a possible investigation, BBC reported.</p>

<p>The new allegations come at a when some of the Tory MPs are facing heat for passing the ‘Basic Instinct’ slur against Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, claiming that she tried to put the prime minister “off his stride” during parliamentary debates by crossing and uncrossing her legs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/basic-instinct-row-those-who-said-female-mp-distracts-uk-pm-by-crossing-uncrossing-legs-will-face-action-473688">'Basic Instinct' row: Those who said female MP distracts UK PM by crossing, uncrossing legs will face action</a></p>

<p>In the Commons on Wednesday, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas cited a report in The Sunday Times that said a total of 56 MPs, including three cabinet ministers, were facing allegations of sexual misconduct, and asked the prime minister whether such behaviour was grounds for dismissal under the ministerial code.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-back-probe-into-whether-boris-johnson-lied-to-parliament-472802">British MPs back probe into whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament</a></p>

<p>Johnson replied that sexual harassment was "intolerable" and "of course... grounds for dismissal".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An MP from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has been accused of watching pornography at the House of Commons chambers. According to reports, a female minister saw the unnamed parliamentarian viewing porno material on his phone in the chamber.

An MP from Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has been accused of watching pornography at the House of Commons chambers. According to reports, a female minister saw the unnamed parliamentarian viewing porno material on his phone in the chamber. The minister said that the incident took place last week, The Times reported. The claims were made at a meeting on Tuesday night during which female Conservative MPs shared accounts of alleged sexism and harassment, BBC reported. Conservative MP Pauline Latham told BBC that several MP's who were at the meeting were “shell shocked” and “couldn't believe something like that could happen in what's really a professional place”. She also said that the man would lose his job and a position at the Conservative Party if the accusations were proven to be true. The matter has now been referred to a parliamentary Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme for a possible investigation, BBC reported. The new allegations come at a when some of the Tory MPs are facing heat for passing the ‘Basic Instinct’ slur against Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, claiming that she tried to put the prime minister “off his stride” during parliamentary debates by crossing and uncrossing her legs. Also read | 'Basic Instinct' row: Those who said female MP distracts UK PM by crossing, uncrossing legs will face action In the Commons on Wednesday, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas cited a report in The Sunday Times that said a total of 56 MPs, including three cabinet ministers, were facing allegations of sexual misconduct, and asked the prime minister whether such behaviour was grounds for dismissal under the ministerial code. Also read | British MPs back probe into whether Boris Johnson lied to parliament Johnson replied that sexual harassment was "intolerable" and "of course... grounds for dismissal". (With inputs from agencies)

Tory MP accused of watching porn at House of Commons chamber, probe launched

<p>Journalist Priya Ramani on Thursday told a court here that she had no 'mala fide' and 'extraneous' motive for making sexual harassment allegations former Union Minister MJ Akbar.</p>

<p>During her cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Akbar, Ramani said that it would be wrong to suggest that her allegations harmed the reputation of the complainant -- MJ Akbar.</p>

<p>The cross-examination of Ramani and her friend Nilofer was conducted before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vishal Pahuja as the case was transferred to his court by ACMM Samar Vishal.</p>

<p>"It is wrong to suggest that my Tweets and publication had nothing to do with 'doing the right thing'. It is wrong to suggest that what I have done by publishing the Tweets was wrong, defamatory and malicious," she submitted before the court.</p>

<p>"It is wrong to suggest that my conduct as a journalist has been unethical as I had neither identified my sources nor attributed credits," she replied during the cross-examination.<br />
Earlier, Nilofer's statement was recorded before ACMM Samar Vishal during which she briefly narrated the alleged incident of Ramani's harassment.</p>

<p>"I was at Nariman Point (in Mumbai) when Priya requested me to meet one hour before the interview so that I can prepare her for the interview. She came at around 6 and met at Promenade. I asked her current affairs questions which I imagined that she could be asked during the interview. A few minutes before 7, we walked to Oberoi where I dropped her and came back," Nilofer said.</p>

<p>"Later that night, Priya called me on my landline. She sounded upset and distort. I asked her -- Why? She told me that the interview had not gone as we discussed. To begin, the interview did not happen in a coffee shop or restaurant but was straight up called to Akbar's room."</p>

<p>She continued: "Ramani described feeling extremely uncomfortable as he offered her an alcoholic drink and was himself drinking the same. She also described him singing old Hindi songs, which is highly unprofessional."</p>

<p>"At one point, she explained as to how Akbar patted a portion of the sofa and asked her to sit close to him. The details she described were so bizarre and inappropriate that I have a picture of it in my mind till this day," Nilofer narrated.</p>

<p>Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for MJ Akbar, objected to Nilofer's statement.</p>

<p>"She is like the third ghost in the room. She must have seen the colour of the Vodka," Luthra contended.</p>

<p>Another witness will be cross-examined on December 10, on the next date of hearing in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Akbar against Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct.&nbsp;</p>


Journalist Priya Ramani on Thursday told a court here that she had no 'mala fide' and 'extraneous' motive for making sexual harassment allegations former Union Minister MJ Akbar.

Journalist Priya Ramani on Thursday told a court here that she had no 'mala fide' and 'extraneous' motive for making sexual harassment allegations former Union Minister MJ Akbar. During her cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Akbar, Ramani said that it would be wrong to suggest that her allegations harmed the reputation of the complainant -- MJ Akbar. The cross-examination of Ramani and her friend Nilofer was conducted before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vishal Pahuja as the case was transferred to his court by ACMM Samar Vishal. "It is wrong to suggest that my Tweets and publication had nothing to do with 'doing the right thing'. It is wrong to suggest that what I have done by publishing the Tweets was wrong, defamatory and malicious," she submitted before the court. "It is wrong to suggest that my conduct as a journalist has been unethical as I had neither identified my sources nor attributed credits," she replied during the cross-examination. Earlier, Nilofer's statement was recorded before ACMM Samar Vishal during which she briefly narrated the alleged incident of Ramani's harassment. "I was at Nariman Point (in Mumbai) when Priya requested me to meet one hour before the interview so that I can prepare her for the interview. She came at around 6 and met at Promenade. I asked her current affairs questions which I imagined that she could be asked during the interview. A few minutes before 7, we walked to Oberoi where I dropped her and came back," Nilofer said. "Later that night, Priya called me on my landline. She sounded upset and distort. I asked her -- Why? She told me that the interview had not gone as we discussed. To begin, the interview did not happen in a coffee shop or restaurant but was straight up called to Akbar's room." She continued: "Ramani described feeling extremely uncomfortable as he offered her an alcoholic drink and was himself drinking the same. She also described him singing old Hindi songs, which is highly unprofessional." "At one point, she explained as to how Akbar patted a portion of the sofa and asked her to sit close to him. The details she described were so bizarre and inappropriate that I have a picture of it in my mind till this day," Nilofer narrated. Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for MJ Akbar, objected to Nilofer's statement. "She is like the third ghost in the room. She must have seen the colour of the Vodka," Luthra contended. Another witness will be cross-examined on December 10, on the next date of hearing in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Akbar against Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct.

No mala fide motive for making allegations against MJ Akbar: Priya Ramani

<p>The longest-serving member of the US Congress, John Conyers, has decided to step down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee as sexual harassment allegations against him surface, reports said on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters,&quot; Conyers tweeted on Sunday.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters.</p>
&mdash; John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJohnConyers/status/934837618541547520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, a staff member informed that she was fired for denying to &#39;succumb to the sexual advances&#39; from the democrat. It was also reported on Tuesday that Conyers had paid an amount of $27,000 in 2015 in exchange for the confidentiality of a former staff member who also said she was then fired.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Media reports also say that he was accused of making several sexual advances in the past. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Democrat has since denied these allegations which were apparently &#39;raised by documents reportedly paid for by a blogger&#39;. He added that he is looking forward to &#39;vindicating himself and his family before the House Committee on Ethics.&#39; According to the congressmen, his role as a Ranking Member on the committee would not be useful until the Ethics Committee investigation is complete.</p>

<p>However, he said that &#39;he would like very much to remain as Ranking Member as there is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.&#39;</p>

<p>Conyers urged that he would never allow his legacy, which he owes to his father John Conyers Sr., his family, and the people of Detroit, to be &#39;cast aside or by any way be diminished&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also tweeted saying &#39;I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less&#39;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less.</p>
&mdash; John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJohnConyers/status/934838606488891394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, claimed that it was justified that Conyers received &quot;due process&quot;.</p>

<p>Ms Pelosi called him &quot;an icon&quot; who had advanced women&#39;s causes.</p>

<p>However, she tweeted, in reference to&nbsp;Conyers: &quot;Zero tolerance means consequences... No matter how great an individual&#39;s legacy, it is not a license for harassment.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zero tolerance means consequences. I have asked for an ethics investigation, and as that investigation continues, <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJohnConyers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepJohnConyers</a> has agreed to step aside as Ranking Member. No matter how great an individual&rsquo;s legacy, it is not a license for harassment. <a href="https://t.co/H5ikWy1iqT">pic.twitter.com/H5ikWy1iqT</a></p>
&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi/status/934834856781107201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


John Conyers is the longest-serving member of the US Congress

The longest-serving member of the US Congress, John Conyers, has decided to step down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee as sexual harassment allegations against him surface, reports said on Sunday. "After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters," Conyers tweeted on Sunday. After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters. — John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017 × According to reports, a staff member informed that she was fired for denying to 'succumb to the sexual advances' from the democrat. It was also reported on Tuesday that Conyers had paid an amount of $27,000 in 2015 in exchange for the confidentiality of a former staff member who also said she was then fired. Media reports also say that he was accused of making several sexual advances in the past. The Democrat has since denied these allegations which were apparently 'raised by documents reportedly paid for by a blogger'. He added that he is looking forward to 'vindicating himself and his family before the House Committee on Ethics.' According to the congressmen, his role as a Ranking Member on the committee would not be useful until the Ethics Committee investigation is complete. However, he said that 'he would like very much to remain as Ranking Member as there is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.' Conyers urged that he would never allow his legacy, which he owes to his father John Conyers Sr., his family, and the people of Detroit, to be 'cast aside or by any way be diminished'. He also tweeted saying 'I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less'. I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less. — John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017 × The leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, claimed that it was justified that Conyers received "due process". Ms Pelosi called him "an icon" who had advanced women's causes. However, she tweeted, in reference to Conyers: "Zero tolerance means consequences... No matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for harassment. Zero tolerance means consequences. I have asked for an ethics investigation, and as that investigation continues, @RepJohnConyers has agreed to step aside as Ranking Member. No matter how great an individual’s legacy, it is not a license for harassment. pic.twitter.com/H5ikWy1iqT — Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) November 26, 2017 ×

Longest-serving US Congressman steps down after sexual harassment allegations