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Minister on list of sex claims denies wrongdoing

Justice minister Dominic Raab has revealed he is on a list o..

Justice minister Dominic Raab has revealed he is on a list of allegations against Tory MPs – but denied claims he tried to cover up inappropriate behaviour.

He condemned any criminal activity inflicted on parliamentary staff but said some allegations in the dossier were "gossip or unsubstantiated rumour".

Mr Raab revealed the entry next to his own name read: "Injunction for inappropriate behaviour with a woman."

In a statement on his website, the Esher and Walton MP wrote: "I have never been served with any injunction for anything. Nor have I ever sought one.

"Equally, any insinuation that I have engaged in anything resembling sexual harassment, sexually abusive behaviour or lewd remarks with either parliamentary colleagues or staff (in any job I have done) is false and malicious."

:: Green 'should stand down' amid harassment claims

Image:Theresa May has demanded reforms over the harassment row

Mr Raab said the only "tenuous link" he could think of was a "vexatious" newspaper story run in 2011, that he says he successfully sued for libel over.

He added that the list was encouraging a "media feeding frenzy against MPs".

And while recognising there were some "disturbing allegations" that needed to be taken seriously, Mr Raab said publishing false allegations was a "form of harassment and intimidation".

He warned: "Accountability should mean properly investigating any reports of abuse, without irresponsibly smearing those who have done nothing wrong."

Foreign Office minister Rory Stewart also revealed he appeared on the list, which is being circulated among Tory researchers.

He wrote on Twitter: "This story is completely untrue and deeply hurtful."

:: Labour investigate activist's rape allegation

Conservative MP Rory Stewart
Image:Rory Stewart says an allegation against him is 'completely untrue'

Mr Stewart was responding to a former parliamentary worker, who praised him and said: "Nothing of the kind implied by my name being included on this spreadsheet ever took place.

"During my time working in Parliament, Rory Stewart was never anything other than completely professional and an excellent employer."

Prime Minister Theresa May has called for a binding code of conduct for MPs and written to the leaders of all political parties in Westminster to invite them to a meeting on how to solve the harassment scandal.

She has also said Parliament "must go further" than the 24/7 confidential hotline already in place, as a series of sex assault claims brew.

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