UK Edition
Andrea Leadsom 'embarrassed' for MPs accused of inappropriate behaviour
Andrea Leadsom has stressed the need for parliament to be free from sexual harassment in a move that may be seen as putting yet more pressure on the embattled minister Damian Green to resign.
Although the Commons Leader refused to say whether the First Secretary of State should quit, she said she feels “embarrassed” for those people who had been accused of inappropriate behaviour following a wave of allegations of parliamentary sleaze.
Mr Green is currently the focus of a Cabinet Office inquiry into claims he had acted inappropriately towards a younger woman. That investigation was widened last month to include the suggestion that pornography was discovered on Mr Green's parliamentary computers after a raid by officers from Scotland Yard nine years ago. The minister strongly denies the allegations.
Speaking on Radio 4 Today programme, Mrs Leadsom said she was working on a cross-party drive to change the culture at Westminster.
Asked whether Mr Green was likely to resign, she said: "I think that is a matter for the investigation that's under way.
“The Prime Minister is absolutely clear that she wants to see a parliament where people treat one another with respect and I’m working to come up with a cross party agreement to see how we achieve that.”
She continued: "What I'm focusing on is chairing a working party on behalf of the Prime Minister to look at issues around harassment and bullying in Parliament. And I'm focused on making progress on that. And actually seeking to change the culture so that we can in Parliament be amongst the best employers.
"I, like many others, feel embarrassed and very sorry for those who have actually behaved badly in Parliament.
"I have heard of many cases which are very troubling and I'm determined that we put steps in place to make sure that can't happen in future."
She refused to be drawn on reports that allegations she made about comments from Sir Michael Fallon played a role in his resignation as Defence Secretary.
"I don't comment on private conversations. I was absolutely not interested in discussing issues in public, and I was very sorry to see what was said in the press. That was not my intention."