Cries of 'shame' in Parliament as Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope blocks bill making upskirting illegal in England and Wales

The Bill was scuppered by veteran Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA)

GOVERNMENT-BACKED plans to criminalise upskirting in England and Wales have been derailed after being opposed by a Conservative grandee.

There were cries of “shame!” as Sir Christopher Chope dealt a blow to campaigners after announcing he objected to the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill which would make it illegal for offenders to take a picture under someone’s clothing without their consent.

The Government stated its support for making upskirting a specific criminal offence hours before Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse’s Private Members’ Bill received its second reading in the Commons on Friday.

The moment in the Commons when a bill which would make 'upskirting' a criminal offence is halted by a Tory MP shouting "object".

Other MPs cry "shame". pic.twitter.com/DLpZSZrqWt

— BBC Parliament (@BBCParliament) June 15, 2018

It was the crucial backing campaigners – including upskirting victim Gina Martin, 26, and her legion of famous supporters – were hoping for after months of meetings with the Ministry of Justice to thrash out terms for suitable legislation.

But the Bill – which would have progressed to the ammendment stage before returning to the Commons and the Lords and, later, receiving Royal Ascent – was scuppered by veteran Christchurch MP Chope, despite the best efforts of Ms Hobhouse to get him on side from the backbenches earlier in the session.

It means the Bill will have to return for another Friday Private Members Bill session, on July 6, if it is to have any hope of becoming law this Parliamentary term.

Even then, it would only take one dissenting voice to again put a stop to its progress.

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins, also minister for women, and Tory MP Will Quince (Colchester) were among those who said “shame” when the Bill was blocked.

There was also criticism on social media following Chope’s actions.

Tory MP Kevin Foster tweeted: “I was was one of the MPs who cried shame. I do not normally criticise colleagues but Chris Chope’s behaviour in @HouseofCommons today blocking this, objecting to #FinnsLaw and delaying Mental Health (Use Of Force) Bill was deplorable.”

Labour MP Richard Burgon wrote: “Disgusted to see that Tory MP Christopher Chope blocked the Upskirting Bill in Parliament today.

“Labour have supported this campaign from the start, it’s time for the government to bring legislation and not rely on Private Members Bills, which their own MPs have undermined.”

Womens Equality UK tweeted: “This is stupid, absurd, sexist, but unfortunately not unbelievable. We greatly look forward to hearing Christopher Chope’s explanation for why those who take ‘upskirting’ pictures should be protected by the law.”

Journalist Barbara Speed tweeted a list of objections Chope had made in the past, which includes objecting to the second reading of the Alan Turing (Statutory Pardon) Bill in the House of Commons.

He has also called for the minimum wage to be abolished and voted against same-sex marriage in 2013.

Today, Chope also derailed government-backed plans to give police dogs and horses extra legal protections from attack.

There were groans in the Commons as he dealt a blow to campaigners after announcing he objected to the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill.

The Bill, so named “Finn’s Law” after a police dog brutally stabbed while protecting his handler, aims to remove a section of the current law of self-defence often used by those who harm a service animal.