It was an accusation of sexual assault that ultimately brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Conservative MP and whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members' club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the accusations of a "cover up". In The Open Secret, a three part series from Sky News, political correspondent Liz Bates hears from others who have been scared to speak out about inappropriate behaviour and finds out why Westminster seems to struggle to deal with such claims.
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It was an accusation of sexual assault that ultimately brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Conservative MP and whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members' club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the accusations of a "cover up". In The Open Secret, a three part series from Sky News, political correspondent Liz Bates hears from others who have been scared to speak out about inappropriate behaviour and finds out why Westminster seems to struggle to deal with such claims.
It was an accusation of sexual assault that brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Tory whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the cover up.
On the first episode of this three-part series, Liz Bates, Sky’s political correspondent, speaks to Emily (not her real name) who describes the night she says she was sexually assaulted by an MP, who, at time of recording, was a serving cabinet minister. Plus, we hear other stories of sexual misconduct at the very top of government and ask why victims still feel they have no-one to turn to.
If you want to get in touch about anything you hear in this episode, Liz is on twitter @wizbates
Political news editor: Agnes Chambre Senior political news editor: Louis Degenhardt Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont Sound Designer: Tom Burchill
The Open Secret
It was an accusation of sexual assault that ultimately brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Conservative MP and whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members' club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the accusations of a "cover up". In The Open Secret, a three part series from Sky News, political correspondent Liz Bates hears from others who have been scared to speak out about inappropriate behaviour and finds out why Westminster seems to struggle to deal with such claims.