UK Edition
Former David Cameron adviser investigated over claim he pressured woman to meet wealthy businessman
A third Tory MP has been referred to his party's disciplinary committee over concerns about his behaviour following allegations that he pressured a young female researcher to meet a wealthy businessman.
Daniel Kawczynski, a former adviser to David Cameron, is alleged to have asked the woman to meet with an overseas contact who had seen her in Parliament.
He is alleged to have suggested that the meeting might help with a potential business deal.
Channel 4 News said the woman was approached multiple times by an intermediary, before the MP for Shrewsbrury approached her personally in January 2013 and asked her to have a coffee with the man.
The MP has admitted he made the suggestion to the woman who worked for the Tory MP Eleanor Laing, but denied anything inappropriate occurred.
A source close to the woman claimed his alleged behaviour was “sleazy in the extreme”.
They said: “When Eleanor Laing found out she was absolutely furious.”
Ms Laing, the House of Commons Deputy Speaker, reported the incident to a Tory whip, but didn’t make a formal complaint because she considered the matter dealt with.
She told Channel 4 News in a statement: "I was very angry at this inappropriate behaviour and I strongly reprimanded my colleague in front of several witnesses.
"I feel very strongly that women of my generation have got to stand up for the younger generation of women because that's how we will get cultural change.
"My number one concern is to protect the identity of this young researcher. She deserves privacy, just like any other victim."
A Conservative spokesman said: “The chief whip has referred Daniel Kawczynski to the party’s new disciplinary committee for further investigation”.