It is hard not to be shocked, as a Tory MP has blocked a law to make upskirting illegal. Sir Christopher Chope decided to chip in with a last minute objection.
The MP for Christchurch and also a barrister, shouted out “object” to the private members bill.
He was met with shouts of “shame” by others in the house.
The Voyeurism (Offences) Bill was all set to progress into law, having won support from the Ministry of Justice before it was brought before the Commons. The new law would have created a specific offence for upskirting allowing for sentences of up to two years.
Gina Martin, who launched the campaign to make upskirting a specific criminal offence, said she was “extremely upset and disappointed”.
“We knew this was a risk, but I now stand with powerful, passionate women and men behind me and am confident that [justice minister] Lucy Frazer is committed to – and will- close this gap in law,” she said.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, called Sir Christopher’s intervention “outrageous”.
“We can’t allow a situation where backbench Tory MPs are able to veto this necessary legislation,” he added to his criticism of Chope.
The bill will come back at a later hearing of private members’ bills. The next scheduled date is July 6.
As you can imagine many people took to Twitter to vent their anger at his actions.
Conservative MP Christopher Chope:
Voted against minimum wage
Voted against equal marriage
Blocked legislation today against “upskirting” – taking crude photos of women against their will and without their knowledgeHis constituency is Christchurch, Dorset. chopec@parliament.uk
— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) June 15, 2018
Disgusted to see that Tory MP Christopher Chope blocked the Upskirting Bill in Parliament today.
Labour have supported this campaign from the start, it’s time for the government to bring legislation and not rely on Private Members Bills, which their own MPs have undermined.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) June 15, 2018
Christopher Chope MP (who just blocked upskirting bill) was awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s Honour list for recognition of his political and public service. Great that we’re still rewarding sheer ignorance in 2018 @Wera_Hobhouse
— Catherine Bearder (@catherinemep) June 15, 2018
I can only assume we now know what Sir Christopher Chope’s main hobby is. I think we should name it Choping in honour of him https://t.co/o8yaVIZDlu
— Richard K Herring (@Herring1967) June 15, 2018
Christopher Chope:
Abused Parliamentary expenses ✔
Supports vulture funds ✔
Wants to abolish minimum wage ✔
Climate change sceptic ✔
Against same-sex marriage ✔
Hardline Brexiter ✔ https://t.co/UJ6UUNxY7o— Jo Maugham QC (@JolyonMaugham) June 15, 2018
I am unspeakably angry. If you feel the same, please email Christopher Chope chopec@parliament.uk and ask him why he thinks men should be allowed to photograph women’s genitals without their consent.
— Rebecca Reid (@RebeccaCNReid) June 15, 2018
This is Christopher Chope, who just blocked law making it an offence for perverts to take photos of girls’ crotches without their consent. Given a Knighthood this year for “public service”. He is, of course, a member of the Rees-Moggs ERG fundamentalist posse. It’s a full house. pic.twitter.com/F6idKI2429
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) June 15, 2018
