Damian Green should stand aside form his job as first secretary of state while an investigation into his conduct is carried out, a Tory MP has said.
Heidi Allen told ITV’s Peston on Sunday it would be “completely normal” in any other industry for someone to be suspended. “If you are innocent you have nothing to worry about,” she said.
Green has strongly denied claims police found pornography on a computer in his office in Westminster during a raid in 2008.
He said the allegation made by ex-Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick was “completely untrue” and “political smears”.
.@heidiallen75 says it’d be sensible for @DamianGreen to stand down from Cabinet role whilst there is an inquiry into his actions #Peston pic.twitter.com/5K1I9Rq7Yr — Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) November 5, 2017
Green, who is de factor deputy prime minister, is currently under investigation by the Cabinet Secretary after he was accused of making unwanted sexual advances towards a young female Tory activist. He denies the accusation.
Anna Soubry, another Tory backbencher, has already called for Green to step aside.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd told Sky News the Green should not have to stand aside from his job at the heart of government.
“He strongly denies the allegations. Let’s give him time and the inquiry time to put it straight,” she said. “I really look forward to him clearing his name.”
Rudd also suggested new rules should be put in place that would lead to MPs being kicked out of parliament if they were found guilty of sexual harassment.
“I think that is one of the things I would encourage the review to look at,” she said.
Both the Conservatives and Labour have been rocked by a series of sexual harassment claims over the last week.
Several MPs have been suspended by their parties and Sir Michael Fallon resigned as defence secretary over allegations he behaved inappropriately towards women.