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John Bercow's alleged comments about Andrea Leadsom were sexist - but double standards mean Remainers will not challenge them

John Bercow is currently being investigated for his alleged comments - Rick Findler/PA Wire
John Bercow is currently being investigated for his alleged comments - Rick Findler/PA Wire
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It is nearly two years since Andrea Leadsom’s bid to become Conservative leader and Prime Minister self-destructed when she laid on thick her credentials “as a mother” compared to the childless Theresa May. Leadsom, then energy minister, had been a leading campaigner for Leave in the referendum campaign. For feminists on the left, and metropolitan remainers, it was open season.

Yet as ill-advised and cruel as her comments about motherhood were, they should not give her lifelong immunity to abuse and cheap political shots.

Speaker John Bercow has been reported to the Commons standards watchdog for allegedly calling Leadsom a “f---ing stupid woman”, a “liar” and “f---ing useless”.

 This and the other allegations of bullying against Bercow only serve to undermine his long-held claims to be a defender of equality, the Speaker should do the decent thing and resign.

Calling someone a “f---ing stupid woman” is not sexual harassment, but it is sexism - because the phrase “f---ing stupid man” is rarely heard or used in the same way. But let’s not forget that Leadsom has also been subjected to harassment from her colleagues - including alleged comments by Michael Fallon, which contributed to his downfall as Defence Secretary last year. She is seen as an easy target, given her apparent lack of popularity in Westminster.

What is interesting about this latest row is the support - or lack of it - shown towards Leadsom. Labour MPs have come forward to defend Bercow - and have even been entertained by him in his Commons rooms.

The Commons Leader was backed by several of her fellow female ministers and whips when she spoke in the House about the row on Monday. Yet elsewhere, defence of her has been muted.

This reeks of double standards. It should be possible to disagree with Leadsom over Brexit yet also defend her from sexist jibes and creepy comments from colleagues. In the inherently tribal atmosphere of Westminster, it seems, there are “good” and “bad” victims of sexism or sexual harassment, based on their own political beliefs or opinions.

This matters, because MPs are at the forefront of attempts to tackle harassment across wider society in the wake of #MeToo. Leadsom, as Commons leader, is in charge of those attempts, but clearly will not be able to get the support of MPs in such a climate.

John Bercow | A controversial Speaker
John Bercow | A controversial Speaker

If standards on sexism and harassment are not applied equally in Westminster, how are politicians able to tackle these problems in workplaces across the country?

This is not just about new laws and regulations, but the message conveyed to voters - when one of the most senior women in British politics is allowed to become the subject of sexist jibes, and support is rallied not around her but the man responsible, it suggests Westminster is incapable of taking the issue of sexism and harassment seriously across the whole of society.

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