The Conservative MP caught watching porn in the House of Commons broke down in tears yesterday as he told his wife: ‘I’m sorry you married a f****** idiot.’
Neil Parish, 65 years old, wasn’t masked by his female Tory counterparts yesterday when she was accused of having seen explicit content in Parliament at least once.
He was a grandfather who passionately fought for rural broadband improvements.
However, he refused to resign and claimed that he opened pornographic material on his phone “in error”. He didn’t elaborate.
Sue, Sue’s 40-year-old wife and secretary to him, said yesterday that she stands by him. According to Sue, his wife of 40 years, he would have no more wives if he was mad at every man who saw pornography.
Yesterday’s reports naming Parish as the MP involved in this scandal revealed that Parish was not able to reach his wife due to his flat phone battery.
The news had been announced to Mrs Parish by the time he got back from the constituency surgery. Having reached their red-brick farmhouse in Stretcholt near Bridgwater, Somerset, Mr Parish broke down in tears and told her: ‘I’m sorry you married a f****** idiot.’
Neil Parish, Tory MP under fire with Susan Parish. Susan has been married to Neil for 40 years and described the accusations against him as “very embarrassing”.
Susan Parish (pictured with Neil Parish, Tory MP) was accused of looking at porn while her female co-workers sat by.
He made an address to the press from his residence, explaining that he had had the Conservative whip temporarily suspended because of the accusations.
Yesterday, Parish addressed reporters and said that he had to apologize to his wife for all the pain he’d put her through.
While he acknowledged that he understands the pain he has caused to others, he said that he will ‘carry on my duties MP for Tiverton & Honiton’ and that he is grateful for the support of his wife.
Although Mrs Parish acknowledged that the incident was “all very embarrassing”, she said it would have been a mistake to allow it between them. ‘I don’t understand [the attraction of] it. It’s degrading. It’s demeaning. However, it’s not as easy to dance as two. She told The Times that there must have been women who posed for this.
She was asked if she knew her husband had watched porn before and she replied: “No. He really is quite normal. He’s an amazing person. It is just stupid.
“I find it quite difficult. Keep going. You don’t know where that leads. [his career]I don’t know what will happen.
One of their close friends visited yesterday and stated that it was quite tense in the room. They are very close and this incident is unlikely to cause them any problems in their relationship.
The developments of yesterday followed speculation for days about who the Tory was, as he had been seen viewing explicit material in the Commons.
Of why he had not come forward sooner – or quit – Mr Parish, who gave a TV interview earlier this week calling for the man in question to be ‘dealt with seriously’, said: ‘I wasn’t going to until such time as I had referred myself to the authorities. If I’m found guilty, I won’t stay. [by the Committee on Standards].’
Parish, in addition to being referred by that panel to address his grievances and complaints, was also referred to Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme.
This follows claims by two female MPs, that they saw a fellow watching porn at the Commons chamber. One witness claimed that he had also been seen looking at inappropriate images in a hearing of the committee.
Today, MP Neil Parish is pictured at home. He has been stripped of the Conservative whip while being investigated over allegedly viewing pornography in Parliament
Chris Heaton Harris, chief whip of Tory MPs has temporarily suspended his whip until he is formally re-elected. Nickie Aiken (right), backbencher, said that Nickie Aiken should be fired as Tory MP for overseeing pornography within the Houses.
Neil Parish, who are you? Somerset farmer and politician Neil Parish, who quit school when he was 16 to become a Rottweiler on rural issues
Neil Parish, the MP charged with watching porn on the Commons today was a Somerset farmer. He has spent more than 20 years as a politician at Westminster and Brussels.
He was born in Bridgewater, an historic market town at the Somerset Levels. After 10 years as a Tory MP, he became the MP for Tiverton & Honiton in 2010. Prior to that, he was a local councillor.
The 65-year-old has been a member of the Environment and rural affairs committee since 2010 and was once branded a ‘Rottweiler’ by former farming minister David Miliband.
At 16 years old, Mr Parish dropped out of school without a degree and started working at the family farm where he lives today. Susan, a teacher is his wife. They have two children together and two grandchildren.
According to Politico, he was described as a “devoted family man” by his wife and considered a “double act”.
He continued to say that Parish was shorter than the average man and more petite than normal. His activity level is unmatched, making it seem that he rarely stays still.
‘One of his political opposites in the Parliament describes Parish as ”personable” – it is difficult to find anyone who dislikes him – but says he suspects him of being ”shallow”, accusing him of a tendency to jump on other people’s bandwagons for the sake of publicity. With a wink, the same person added: “He’s actually a very nice man ”.’
Parish was known for his stunts. A MEP drove a hybrid vehicle from Brussels while Mr Parish did the same.
Alongside rural issues, he is also interested in animal welfare, and launched a select committee inquiry into the treatment of domestic pets, including cats, dogs and horses.
An online biography states that Parish has other interests, including African politics. He was an election observer and critiqued the actions of Robert Mugabe during the 2000 Presidential elections.
Robert Mugabe then banned Neil’s entry to the country. This ban remains in effect until today. Vladimir Putin’s regime recently sanctioned him for making comments in Parliament supporting Ukraine. This was a “badge of honor” he said.
The most recent activity he did in Parliament was to launch an inquiry about marine mammals. This will examine their welfare in UK and international waters.
He was today suspended by Conservatives in the midst of an investigation. After the claims were made during a Tory MPs meeting on Tuesday, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme launched an investigation.
Parish stated that he supported Tory whips for a thorough investigation.
Then, he said: “If there are 650 MPs in this very dense area, it is going to be difficult for people to cross the line.”
“I don’t believe that there’s necessarily a culture (of misogyny). But I do think it needs to be dealt. That is what whips will do.
Yesterday it emerged that Mr Parish – the chairman of the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee, and a member of the powerful liaison committee – had spoken to Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris about the claims.
He said that Parish was being investigated by Heaton-Harris’ party.
According to the Prime Minister, Thursday’s comments about the allegations were: “We must understand the facts…but that behavior is obviously totally unacceptable.”
Parish served for 10 years as an MEP in south-west England before becoming an MP. His vote total of 61.1% was enough to secure a majority of just over 25,000 votes at his last election.
He was educated at Brymore, an agriculture state boarding school, in Somerset. At 16 he moved to the farm where he is still a resident. Jonathan and Harriet are his two children. He also has two grandchildren.
Until yesterday the MP was not given much publicity outside Westminster. This happened after he joined Jeremy Hunt’s 2019 motorcade, without permission.
He has also campaigned for better rural broadband and issues like flooding, air quality, and animal welfare. He also has a keen interest in African politics – but was banned from Zimbabwe in 2008 for his criticism of Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship.
The news of the standards probe came after a female minister to Cabinet revealed that she was once ‘pinned against a wall by a male MP.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, International Trade Secretary, urged her colleagues to “keep your hands in their pockets” as she lamented sexism at Parliament. LBC Radio reported that Trevelyan said: “I have witnessed the extreme end of misogyny many times from some colleagues.
‘We might describe it as wandering hands, if you like, we might describe it as, you know, a number of years ago being pinned up against a wall by a male MP – who is now no longer in the House, I’m pleased to say – declaring that I must want him because he was a powerful man. This sort of thing, power abuses that only a small number of male colleagues display is totally unacceptable.
While she stated that her male counterparts are generally ‘delightful and committed parliamentarians,’ she also said: “There are still a few who, for whatever reason, have too many drinks, or a kind of view that somehow getting elected is God’s gift to them that allows them to suddenly be happy.” It is unacceptable to show disrespect or a lack of respect for women.
Ben Wallace, her Cabinet colleague, stated earlier this week that pornography is not allowed in any workplace.
Sky News spoke to the Defence Secretary about the need for reform at Westminster. He said: “This problem I believe is related to the culture of the House of Commons. Long nights of sitting in bars and late-night meetings lead to behaviour challenges. It has been for many decades.
Pauline Latham, Tory MP and former minister to the government had stated that the man who watched porn at the time should resign. She told GB News: They should go… Their ministerial careers are absolutely overblown and their parliamentary careers probably. This is just unacceptable. It is shocking.
Thangam Debbonaire Shadow Commons Leader said, “The Conservatives knew for days the disgusting conduct of one their MPs and tried cover it up…
“This government is in a state of disarray.” Britain deserves better.’
After news broke that Neil Parish, Tory MP for Somerset was being investigated in relation to claims that he had watched porn at the House of Commons, Neil Parish returned home to Somerset.
Journalists met Mr Parish as he returned to Somerset after learning that he was the MP who is alleged have watched porn on the Commons.
Although the allegation are still being investigated, Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat deputy leader said that Boris Johnson should order his MP quit.
“If Boris Johnson had any bit of dignity left, he’d tell Neil Parish immediately to resign,” she stated.
“In another workplace, such conduct would constitute gross misconduct. If the individual responsible is fired, they would also lose their job. Parlament should not be any different.
“We don’t have to offend the female MPs who saw this. We just need to look at their viewing history. His bosses don’t need to ask him for his equipment and review his viewing history. This isn’t rocket science.
Caroline Nokes Tory MP and chair of Women and Equalities Committee stated that while she wasn’t disappointed by the whip not being suspended immediately, it was now a relief.
ITV News reported that she said: “I’ve been calling on the Chief Whip for him to remove his whip ever since we first learned about this incident…
“I’m happy that action was taken. I also hope that two of the complainants are supported in the system.
It’s understood that a grievance process was initiated by Parliament through the independent complaints and grievance system (ICGS).
Before the recent controversy, Mr. Parish was pictured together with Mr. Johnson
Boris Johnson (pictured at Burnley yesterday), said that watching porn on the Commons would not be acceptable.
There have been accusations that Heaton-Harris did not take action but referred the scandal to the Parliamentary grievance procedure.
It seems that the IGCS inquiry was triggered. At least one witness has filed a complaint.
A second investigation may be initiated after Mr Parish has referred himself to the Standards Committee.
He has not yet reported any potential violations of the code of conduct of MPs.
However, Kathryn Stone is considering whether Parish did a significant amount of damage to the reputation or integrity of the Commons.
MPs reacted strongly to claims that Tory was caught porning in the House of Commons by his two female coworkers.
The PM visited Burnley Thursday and stated that it was unacceptable for anyone to do such things in their workplace.
Let’s just be clear: “It would be exactly the same for every type of job in the country.
“What must be done now? The independent grievances and complaints procedure should be activated. We need to learn the facts, but that behavior is absolutely unacceptable.
Suella Braverman, Attorney General, stated that if a MP is found watching inappropriate material they should be removed from their position of privileged Member.
She stated that there were a “very small minority” of men, which she called men.
Nickie Aiken, Tory MP and porn-watching expert said that Nickie Aiken had to resign from the Commons. She warned that Aiken was causing pain, suffering and embarrassment to the party as well as Parliament.
He should take a long hard, honest look at himself.She told Times Radio that she agreed.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Cabinet Minister, reveals that she was “pinned against a wall” by a male MP while she read the riot act to sleazy political leaders
A cabinet minister has revealed today that she was once held against the wall by a male member of parliament.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan stated that the majority of male colleagues she knows are ‘delightful and committed parliamentarians.
However, she stated that some had behaved badly after having ‘too many drinks’ and she advised people to act like their daughter is in the room.
Ms Trevelyan talked about an unusual incident in which she was held against a wall by a man who has since become an ex-MP.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan stated that the majority of male coworkers are ‘delightful and committed parliamentarians’
Ms Trevelyan told Sky News of male MPs: ‘There are a few for whom too much drink, or indeed a sort of, a view that somehow being elected makes them you know, God’s gift to women, that they can suddenly please themselves, that is never OK, that kind of behaviour, disrespect for women.’
She continued, “Fundamentally you should be a man and not a woman.”
LBC Radio interview with Ms Trevelyan: “I have witnessed the extreme end of misogyny by some colleagues many, many times.”
“We could call it wandering fingers, but if we want to be more precise, it might have been a man who was once a strong man and had him pinned against a wall a few years back.
“These types of things and these power abuses, which a very small minority of male colleagues shows, are completely unacceptable.”
She encouraged those women to make public humiliation a part of their tools if they were to be subject to such behavior.
Although Ms Trevelyan called watching porn on the Commons floor ‘completely inacceptable’, she did not say whether it was time for the MP to be fired.