'Senior and respected male MP pinned me up against the wall, informing me that I clearly wanted to go to bed with him - which I did not'
Cabinet member and MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan speaks out against misogyny and sexual misconduct at Westminster
Last updated 29th Apr 2022
Berwick MP and cabinet member Anne-Marie Trevelyan says she was pinned up against a wall by "a senior and respected male MP", who informed her she wanted to bed him - when she did not.
The allegation comes amid claims of misogyny and sexual misconduct in Westminster, including allegations a Conservative MP watched porn in the Commons chamber.
The International Trade Secretary reveals she didn't report the incident at the time - but hopes sharing her experience now will give other victims the courage to speak up.
Speaking to MFR Ms Trevelyan said: "Sadly, I've had a number of experiences where men thought they could 'have a crack at me', and that it was okay - even when I very politely declined their advances.
"And once, quite a long time ago now - when I was in a much less authoritative positive, when I was a candidate standing for parliament - a senior and respected male MP pinned me up against the wall at the end of an evening, informing me that I clearly wanted to go to bed with him, which I did not. And it was a very difficult situation to extricate myself from.
"At the time I was really frightened. I must have a guardian angel who gave me the right words to say to get myself out of the room and out of the building at pace."
But she added: "There was no-one else there, I had no idea what to do and, in fact, I did nothing about it."
'Completely unacceptable'
A watchdog's investigating allegations a Conservative MP watched pornography in the House of Commons.
While a newspaper was widely criticised at the weekend for reporting claims Labour's Angela Rayner deliberately distracts the Prime Minister with her legs during debates.
Ms Trevelyan says it's completely "unacceptable".
She said: "I want to be sure that, today, any young woman or man who is in a situation where they feel sexually threatened or bullied have the strength and the knowledge that we will stand with them to support them; and for those who behave so badly to be suitably dealt with.
"We have really good systems now coming through in parliament and I would encourage anyone who feels pressured in any way to use them to get the support they need, and to ensure that these men who think it's okay to behave like this discover it's not."