An MP’s dog burst into the room during a serious interview with Sky News about sexual harassment in Westminster.
Alex Norris, shadow Levelling Up minister, spoke to Sky on Friday after Welsh MP Geraint Davies had the whip removed following reports he subjected multiple women to unwanted sexual attention.
During his replies, Norris’s border collie tore into his room and began throwing a chew toy around, whipping his tail back and forth in joy on live TV.
Sky producers are heard murmuring out-of-shot and after a couple of hilarious seconds the shot abruptly cuts to a picture of Geraint Davies.
The MP for Nottingham North seemed unflustered by the disruption, telling Sky: “Those allegations are really, really serious and it is right they are being taken very seriously and it is right he has been suspended and it is right they are being investigated.
“We will see those facts established in due course.”
Ignoring the chaos behind him, Norris went on to defend Labour’s review of their complaint procedures that he says need to “evolve in light of recent accusations”.
Mr Davies said he did not recognise the claims of multiple women who say he subjected them to unwanted sexual attention.
Reports say the Swansea West MP’s behaviour was an “open secret”.
“What I read yesterday was what everybody else read,” Mr Norris told Sky News. “That was the first time I’d seen or heard those things”.
A woman has submitted the complaint, according to the website Politico, which earlier reported that five other women had made sexual harassment claims against the veteran politician.
Politico reported that two younger female MPs had claimed Mr Davies, who has served in Parliament for 21 years over two spells, touched them without their consent.
The website said it had spoken to more than 20 serving MPs and Labour staff who described allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back at least five years.
It reported that the behaviour was directed exclusively at younger women in Westminster.
A Labour spokeswoman said: “These are incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour.
“We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward to the Labour Party’s investigation.
“Any complainant will have access to an independent support service who provide confidential and independent guidance and advice from external experts throughout the process.”
Labour is currently carrying out its own investigation into the claims made against Mr Davies.
