Two Women Give Accounts Of Sexual Assault By Senior Political Figures

Another woman alleges that she was groped by someone now working in Number 10 who remained in post after she complained about his appointment.

Two women who give detailed, first-hand accounts of what they claim happened to them when one was assaulted and the other groped by political figures who are both now in senior roles.

A cabinet minister and a top Number 10 aide serve at the heart of Boris Johnson's government despite allegations of sexual misconduct, a Sky News investigation can reveal.

One woman claims the man involved - who currently serves in the cabinet - was "feeding her wine" despite her being obviously drunk. When she requested to go to bed "he didn't leave me alone".

To protect the victims the two men is not name at the centre of the allegations.

This comes in the wake of the Chris Pincher scandal, when following the deputy chief whip's resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations, questions were raised over what the prime minister already knew about his behaviour.

The fallout eventually ended Boris Johnson's premiership.

Speaking to Sky News anonymously, an ex-parliamentary staff member for the Conservative Party relayed details of a sexual assault she alleges was at the hands of an MP who is now a cabinet minister.

She also said she has reason to believe the story has circulated within political circles but has not seriously hindered his career progression.

She said: "I was sexually assaulted by someone who's now a cabinet minister, and I was in my early 20s and didn't really know how to deal with it.

"I was super drunk. He's feeding me more wine and I'm already quite obviously tanked. After a while, I was like, you know what? Would you mind if I just went to bed? So I went to bed.

"But obviously he didn't leave me alone. And then I woke up the next morning and I realised what had happened."

Later she told colleagues and the MP she was working for at the time, who encouraged her to report it to the police. After some initial discussions with the police, however, she chose not to proceed any further and did not make a formal complaint to the Conservative Party. 

She explained: "I was too scared to kickstart that process and risk it spiralling out of control." 

She believes there is "nothing that I can do without putting my career in jeopardy" and "ruining my life". 

A Conservative spokesperson said: "We have an established code of conduct and complaints procedure where people can report complaints in confidence. We take any complaint seriously." 

A government spokesperson said: "We take allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and there are robust procedures in place to raise concerns. 

"All ministerial appointments also follow established processes." 

Ministerial appointments are made by the prime minister, with the civil service unable to veto any decisions. 

'The office he is going to be working in is full of women... and I just thought he'd do it again'

A former Conservative aide who has alleged that she was groped by a senior Number 10 employee before his appointment to a top job in Downing Street.

The woman - who worked at Number 10 when she says the incident happened - made multiple complaints about his appointment, but he remains in the role.

She said: "I heard that he was going to get a job in Downing Street. I raised it with a number of people. 

"Nothing happened. So I then formally complained to the Cabinet Office. I just felt the responsibility to do it again, partly because the office he's going to be working in is full of women. And I just thought he'd do it again."

She also alleged that on hearing of the allegation, his boss - a close aide to the prime minister - dismissed it, on the grounds that the man was "good looking and had women throwing themselves at him".

A Conservative spokesperson said: "If an allegation of criminal wrongdoing is raised, we would always advise the individual to contact the police."

 A government spokesperson said: "All prospective government employees are subject to necessary checks and vetting. We do not comment on individuals."

Mr Johnson was, earlier this week, asked whether he had done enough to tackle sexual misconduct in politics given that the Conservatives have faced numerous scandals during his premiership.

He replied: "All of those things have to be handled carefully and sensitively, and we have processes for dealing with them. And people who have complaints should raise them in the normal way." 

'Some of the most dangerous people are probably the last people that you'd ever suspect'

The allegations form part of a long-running Sky News investigation into Westminster culture that spans all political parties and has taken testimony from staff, MPs and others on how sexual misconduct and bullying claims are treated in Westminster.

Some of those interviewed suggested that whilst names regularly circulated of political figures to stay away from, often no action was taken and this tended to have little impact on their career progression.

Conversely, many suggested that making a formal complaint about someone more senior in politics could damage their own job prospects.

Labour MP Charlotte Nichols said: "In order to survive in Westminster, you do have to rely on that whisper network.

"Ultimately. It's never going to be 100% effective. You know, some of the most dangerous people are probably the last people that you'd ever suspect."

 She also recounted her own experience of inappropriate behaviour from a senior MP.

"I have been repeatedly propositioned by an MP who is old enough to be my grandfather and sometimes in front of other colleagues who have either laughed it off or said nothing when he's done it.

"I know from speaking to other people that, you know, this is not uncommon behaviour for him… It's something that he clearly feels emboldened to do, that he feels entitled to do."