June 15, 2018 4.02 pm This story is over 69 months old

Cries of “shame” as MP blocks upskirting bill

“Simply lost for words”
It was widely expected that the bill would be passed in the House of Commons

Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said he is “stunned and ashamed” that a bill to outlaw ‘upskirting’ was blocked by a Conservative MP at the House of Commons.

A chorus of “shame” was heard upon the objection to a second reading from Tory Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope.

MP Sir Christopher Chope speaking in the House of Commons on Friday

The campaign for the bill, backed by the Lincolnshire PCC, was to create an official offence for upskirting (the act of taking a photograph up a person’s skirt or dress) in line with other voyeurism offences.

It was started by victim Gina Martin and brought to the House of Commons on Friday, June 15 by Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, proposing a maximum prison sentence for offences of two years.

It was widely expected that the government would back the private member’s bill. Many, including Marc Jones, celebrated the potential of the move on the morning of the vote. 

But, it takes just one MP to shout “object” in parliament to block the bill’s progress.

It will return to the House of Commons on July 6, but there is no guarantee it will be upheld then.

PCC Marc Jones Tweeted minutes after the vote : “I’m simply lost for words right now #Shame.”