'Upskirting' Bill Returns To Parliament

21 June 2018

Wera Hobhouse has announced she is due to be part of a select group of MPs scrutinising the Government Bill to make ‘upskirting’ a specific criminal offence.

The news comes alongside the announcement that the Government, following pressure from Wera, has initiated a rare parliamentary procedure to progress the Voyeurism Offences Bill.

The procedure means the Bill will not only have its first reading tomorrow but will be scheduled for its Second Reading debate too, expected as early asMonday 2 July.

Wera said:

“I am pleased to see action being taken to ensure this Bill progresses as quickly as possible through parliament. It is testament to the uncontroversial nature of the Bill and the cross-party support it has received.

“I introduced this Bill to protect the victims of this crime and therefore my priority has and will always be that upskirting becomes a specific sexual offence as quickly as possible.”

“This change in the law has been delayed one time too many. I hope to see it supported by my colleagues across the Commons tomorrow.”