Sir Christopher Chope speaking in the House of Commons, London as Government-backed plans to criminalise upskirting have been derailed after being opposed by the Conservative grandee.
Tory traditionalist Christopher Chope has been put forward for membership of the modernisation select committee, prompting ridicule on social media.
Chope gained notoriety in 2018 for trying to block a proposal to make upskirting a specific criminal offence.
He has also faced criticism for referring to Commons staff as “servants” and telling one female MP to “apply her mind” in a House of Commons row.
The Christchurch MP’s voting record is equally chequered.
Chope has objected to proposed laws to protect girls from female genital mutilation (FGM), plans to host a global women’s conference in the Commons, and to granting a posthumous pardon to Alan Turing over his conviction for “homosexual activity”.
Reacting to the news he has been put forward for the modernisation select committee, a Labour spokesperson said: “Christopher Chope has never seen a law he hasn’t wanted to antiquate. Clearly the Tories haven’t learned anything from their election defeat and are refusing to change.
“He blocked a ban on upskirting, objected to the pardoning of WWII hero Alan Turing and opposed ending the abhorrent practice of female genital mutilation. This is not a man the Tories should be championing.”
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