Health Secretary Sajid Javid has described sexist behaviour in Parliament as “shameful” and said “the culture of Westminster needs to change”.
Mr Javid made the comments on Twitter after an allegation surfaced that an unnamed Conservative MP was spotted watching pornography on his phone in the House of Commons.
He becomes the second cabinet minister to speak out following the claims, after attorney general Suella Braverman suggested that if the allegations were proven the culprit could be suspended or even expelled from the House.
The allegations came in the wake of reports suggesting that dozens of MPs, including three cabinet ministers, are facing claims of sexual misconduct that have been referred to an official complaints service.
Meanwhile a Mail on Sunday report citing anonymous Tory MPs – who claimed that Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner deliberately crossed and uncrossed her legs to distract Boris Johnson in the Commons – has sparked criticism across the political spectrum.
Mr Javid wrote: “There have been several instances of inappropriate and sexist behaviour recently in Parliament. It is shameful.
“Parliamentarians are public servants and it is their duty to set an example of character and integrity.
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“The culture of Westminster needs to change.”
Earlier, a Downing Street spokesperson said the culture in parliament was “not good enough” as “shocking incidents” are still being reported.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the Tory chief whip, has ordered an investigation into the pornography allegations.
The party’s whips office said on Wednesday that he “has asked that this matter be referred to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme”, Westminster’s independent complaints service.
“Upon the conclusion of any ICGS investigation, the chief whip will take appropriate action,” a spokesman said.
Rachel Maclean, the safeguarding minister, told Sky News’s The Take with Sophy Ridge she wanted to see the MP in question removed from Westminster.
Suella Braverman, the attorney general, told Sky News on Thursday that the allegations could “potentially carry one of the most serious sanctions” if proven.
“There are many possible sanctions and they go up to suspension or even expulsion from the House of Commons,” she said.
