Michael Fabricant says politicians should be protected from “vexatious allegations” after he revealed he had been included on a list of MPs accused of inappropriate behaviour.
The document, circulating on social media, names a number of Parliamentary figures along with incidents they are alleged to have been involved in.
The Conservative MP has now gone public over his inclusion on the list and suggestions he had been involved in ‘inappropriate behaviour with a journalist in a taxi’.
In an interview with The Guardian, Mr Fabricant said he had no recollection of such an incident and that no victim had come forward and colleagues and journalists said they had not been aware of any such stories.
But he said he had put his name into the public main in order to ensure the discussion over standards in Parliament was brought out into the open.
He has also called for an external body to be created to carry out independent investigations around any allegations.
“I am not particularly concerned about myself here,” he told The Guardian. “What does concern me, however, is the reputation of parliament and the damage that such claims can do. And what changes need to be made.
“It is absolutely right that MPs who abuse their position of power – particularly over vulnerable interns and staff – must be identified and punished. However, MPs should also be protected from vexatious allegations carelessly bandied around on social media by third parties for personal or party political gain.”
