Tory ministers hit back at 'sleaze' spreadsheet and seek legal advice

Conservative MPs whose names appeared on a speculative list of politicians accused of inappropriate behaviour, have hit back against claims which they say are false and libellous.

Ministers and a female aide named on the spreadsheet circulated on social media this week, argued that allegations set out amounted to little more than gossip with two confirming they are taking legal advice.

The Independent understands that other Tory MPs who are upset that they have been defamed on the list, are also attempting to find out who compiled it in order to take legal action.

Fresh allegations were made on Wednesday involving a woman being groped by an MP and the use of a “date rape” drug, amid the brewing Westminster sexual harassment scandal. It has already seen Conservative ministers Damian Green and Mark Garnier face Cabinet Office investigations for other claims, while a Labour activist has revealed she was raped by a party official.

Mr Green was included on the list that was released on social media on Tuesday, albeit in relation to an already known and denied claim that he was member of a dating website. But it was in response to allegations made in The Times by journalist Kate Maltby that he reacted more strongly.

Ms Maltby wrote that Mr Green had made inappropriate advances to her, adding that he had “fleetingly” touched her knee during a meeting in a Waterloo pub in 2015 and a year later sent her a “suggestive” text message after she was pictured wearing a corset in the newspaper.

Mr Green has since said that any allegation that he made sexual advances to Ms Maltby was “untrue (and) deeply hurtful”.

The Independent understands Mr Green has instructed libel lawyers Kingsley Napley and is prepared to release text messages to a Cabinet Office investigation exploring whether the ministerial code has been breached, in order to demonstrate he and Ms Maltby had a normal relationship.

Justice Minister Dominic Raab also appeared on the list and said some of the accusations on it appeared little more than “gossip or unsubstantiated rumours”.

In a post on his own website, he went on: “Under my own name, the entry reads: ‘Injunction for inappropriate behaviour with a woman’.

“And yet, I have never been served with any injunction for anything. Nor have I ever sought one. Equally, any insinuation that I have engaged in anything resembling sexual harassment, sexually abusive behaviour or lewd remarks with either parliamentary colleagues or staff (in any job I have done) is false and malicious. I have already taken legal advice.”

He added: “I appreciate the Westminster list will encourage a further media feeding frenzy against MPs. I also recognise that there are undoubtedly some very disturbing allegations out there, which need to be taken seriously. At the same time, for anonymous individuals to compile and publish, or allow to be published, a list of vague, unsubstantiated and – in my case – false allegations is wrong.”

International Development Minister Rory Stewart is another Conservative whose name appeared on the list, in connection to a former aide, Sophie Bolsover.

But Mr Stewart tweeted: “This story is completely untrue + deeply hurtful. Neither of us have any idea how our names appeared on the list.”

Ms Bolsover said in a statement that she recognised the “seriousness” of some of the allegations being made more generally, but added: “I wish to emphasise that nothing of the kind implied by my name being included on this spreadsheet ever took place.

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“During my time working in Parliament, Rory Stewart was never anything other than professional and an excellent employer.”

She said her name’s inclusion on the list had caused “deep distress and anxiety”.

Ms May has also asked the Cabinet Office to look into whether minister Mark Garnier broke the code of conduct in asking his secretary to buy him two sex toys, as well as referring to her in a sexual and inappropriate way.

A Downing Street spokesman said on Wednesday that the investigations into allegations relating to Mr Garnier and Mr Green would be explored in a “speedy and thorough” way. Meanwhile, a cross party group has been set up to deal with allegations, with the leaders of the major parties to meet on Monday.

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Other Conservatives named on the list also say the claims made in relation to them are false, with some determined to find out who compiled it and published it on social media.

One said: “Some of the younger ones are really upset about it.”

A new allegation of sexual assault in Westminster emerged after a woman said a Conservative MP she worked for grabbed her by her crotch from behind. She said she later told the Commons authorities about the incident, but was told there was “nothing they could do”.

In a separate incident, a former Conservative Party aide said her drink was spiked with a suspected ‘date rape’ drug in the Strangers’ Bar at the House of Commons. The bar is reserved for MPs and their guests.

On Tuesday evening Labour activist Bex Bailey said she had been raped as a 19-year-old at a Labour party even, but when she tried to report it two years later was told not to because it might “damage” her.

Labour has said it will appoint an independent investigator to look into the allegations made by Ms Bailey.