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The Open Secret

The Open Secret

By: Sky News
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 It was an accusation of sexual assault that ultimately brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Conservative MP and whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members' club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the accusations of a "cover up".
In The Open Secret, a three part series from Sky News, political correspondent Liz Bates hears from others who have been scared to speak out about inappropriate behaviour and finds out why Westminster seems to struggle to deal with such claims.Copyright Sky News Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Open Secret: Part Three – Looking for Answers

    The Open Secret: Part Three – Looking for Answers
    Oct 18 2022
    As yet more accusations of bullying and harassment shake Westminster – has such behaviour become normalised in parliament, and can things change for the better?

    On the final of this three-part series, Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates speaks to a former Chief Whip about their role in protecting MPs and parties' reputations. And, a former Conservative minister on why she believes things got worse under Boris Johnson's leadership.

    Plus, as the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle calls for 'radical action', can his Speakers’ Conference bring about the changes needed to make Westminster safer and restore public trust in politicians?

    If you want to get in touch about anything you hear in this episode, Liz is on twitter @wizbates

    Presenter: Liz Bates
    Political news editor: Agnes Chambre
    Podcast editor: Philly Beaumont
    Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
    Sound designer: Tom Burchill
    Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Open Secret: Part Two - The Bully

    The Open Secret: Part Two - The Bully
    Sep 22 2022
    MPs offices are like "650 tiny kingdoms", with just one or two people working very closely together, and little external oversight. So, if something goes wrong with a work relationship, MPs staff can feel like they have no-one to turn to for help.

    On the second episode of this three-part series, Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates speaks to Parliamentary staffers who lived in fear of the MPs they worked for, developed post-traumatic stress disorders and some who were forced out of the jobs they loved due to bullying.

    If you want to get in touch about anything you hear in this episode, Liz is on twitter @wizbates

    Political news editor: Agnes Chambre
    Senior political news editor: Katy Dillon
    Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott
    Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont
    Sound Designer: Tom Burchill
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • The Open Secret: Part One – The Sex Pest

    The Open Secret: Part One – The Sex Pest
    Sep 1 2022
    It was an accusation of sexual assault that brought down Boris Johnson's government. When Tory whip Chris Pincher was accused of groping two men in a private members club, the scandal was not so much the act itself but the cover up.

    On the first episode of this three-part series, Liz Bates, Sky’s political correspondent, speaks to Emily (not her real name) who describes the night she says she was sexually assaulted by an MP, who, at time of recording, was a serving cabinet minister. Plus, we hear other stories of sexual misconduct at the very top of government and ask why victims still feel they have no-one to turn to.

    If you want to get in touch about anything you hear in this episode, Liz is on twitter @wizbates

    Political news editor: Agnes Chambre
    Senior political news editor: Louis Degenhardt
    Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott
    Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont
    Sound Designer: Tom Burchill
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
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