The Prime Minister backed the campaign to get the vile practice outlawed, saying perverts who carry it out leave victims ‘degraded and distressed’
CRIMINALS prosecuted for taking upskirt photos could be forced to sign the sex offenders register, Theresa May has announced.
The Prime Minister said she backed the campaign to get the vile practice made into a specific offence in law, after the draft bill was blocked by a Tory MP last week.
She said the Government would now take on the legislation themselves, and will seek to get it passed through Parliament in the coming months.
Mrs May told MPs: “Victims should be in no doubt there complaints will be taken seriously and the perpetrators punished.”
It comes after backbencher Christopher Chope was lambasted by politicians from all side after his objections in the House of Commons on Friday seemingly killed off the plan.
The MP for Christchurch was labelled a “dinosaur” for his actions and his office decorated with underwear after he admitted he didn’t even know what “upskirting” was.
During Prime Minister’s Questions this lunchtime he was mocked by his Conservative colleague Simon Hoare.
The MP for North Dorset said: “Dorset is the home of the Jurassic Coast – but my Right Honourable Friend will be pleased to know it’s not full of dinosaurs.
“We are a modern embrace the day sort of a county, and all of my constituents want to ensure the safety and dignity of women. As a husband and father I do too.
“Will she confirm that we will make the horror of upskirting illegal quickly, and in government time?”
Mrs May responded by saying: “I agree with him – upskirting is a hideous invasion of privacy. It leaves victims feeling degraded and distressed.”
The PM said she is adopting the bill, which will be presented in the Commons tomorrow, and will be debated again before the summer recess.
She added: “But we are not stopping there; we will also ensure for the most serious offenders they will be added to the sex offenders register.”
