Theresa May’s deputy will take PMQs despite sexual harassment investigation

Toby Melville/Reuters

LONDON – Theresa May has been accused of pre-empting the sexual harassment investigation into her deputy Damian Green after she agreed to him standing in for her at today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, even though the investigation into his actions was ongoing.

The First Secretary of State is being investigated by the Cabinet Office, which is investigating allegations of inappropriate behavior by Green towards a Conservative activist and also claims he stored pornography on his parliamentary computers.

The Prime Minister will not be present in the House of Commons as she is on a trip to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Downing Street insisted it was not prejudicing the outcome of the inquiry by allowing Green to represent it.

May said on Tuesday evening: “He is First Foreign Secretary, he has already answered the Prime Minister’s questions and I am sure he will do a very good job tomorrow in giving the answers.”

However, Labor MP John Mann told The Times newspaper: “It is clearly inappropriate. He should spend his time clearing his name.”

A man who has advocated for the issue of sexual harassment is being asked to ask one of the first questions at today’s meeting.

Green is being investigated by Sue Gray, the head of decency and ethics at the Cabinet Office.

The investigation was launched on November 1 after Kate Maltby, a conservative activist and historian, wrote an article alleging that Green had behaved inappropriately toward her.

Some reports suggest that the main investigation into Green has already concluded and May has already seen the general conclusions.

However, a spokesman for Theresa May refused to answer questions on Wednesday about what stage the investigation into Green was at, telling Business Insider only that “the process is ongoing.”

The First Secretary has denied the allegations against him, saying they are “untrue and deeply hurtful.”

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