UK investigation after complaint about MP watching porn in parliament

The British government's chief whip — a political enforcer — has launched an investigation after female MPs from Boris Johnson's party complained one of their male colleagues was watching pornography on his phone in the parliament chamber.

British media reports that a group of a dozen female Conservative Party MPs met with Chris Heaton-Harris on Monday evening to complain about sexism in parliament, when the allegation about the male MP was made.

Heaton-Harris' office said in a statement: “The chief whip is looking into this matter. This behaviour is wholly unacceptable and action will be taken.”

The issue of misogyny and inappropriate sexual behaviour was raised in the House of Commons on Wednesday at Prime Minister's Questions, when the leader of the Green Party Caroline Lucas put Boris Johnson on the spot.

"Fifty-six members of this House are under investigation for sexual misconduct, and that includes three of his cabinet ministers," said Lucas, asking Johnson if it was grounds for dismissal if a cabinet minister was found to be guilty of sexual misconduct.

"Of course sexual harassment is intolerable, and it is quite right that Members now have a procedure whereby they can bring that to the attention of the House authorities," said PM Johnson.

"Of course it's grounds for dismissal," he added.

The latest British parliamentary scandal comes just days after a newspaper published a claim by an anonymous Conservative MP that opposition Labour Party deputy Angela Rayner would cross and uncross her legs — like Sharon Stone's character in the 1992 film 'Basic Instinct' — as a way to distract Boris Johnson when she sits opposite him during House of Commons debates.

There was an outcry in the media and parliament about the story, with