Christopher Chope is facing calls to be removed from the Conservative Party after blocking a law aimed at strengthening protections against female genital mutilation, otherwise known as FGM.
The 71-year-old Christchurch MP shouted “object!” when the private member’s bill was presented to the House of Commons for its second reading last week.
Parliamentary rules stipulate private member’s bills are read out at the end of business without debate, and can only pass to the next stage only if no MP verbally objects.
Mr Chope told The Telegraph he supports the substance of the legislation, but wanted it to be “debated properly” by MPs. He said his critics were "virtue signalling" - making statements to appear morally superior to garner approval.
The FGM bill, which will return to parliament on March 15, aims to amend the Children Act 1989 by allowing family courts to make interim care orders about children deemed at risk.
Christopher Chope speaking in the House of Commons. Source: AP
Mr Chope made headlines last year after shouting “object!” when a bill to make upskirting a criminal offence was before the parliament. That bill eventually passed last month.
His latest objection has drawn scorn from all sides of politics.
"We need action on our rules to ensure Parliament is a modern functioning part of our democracy. And if there's any MP that needs deselecting / unseating then it must be Christopher Chope," Conservative MP Anna Soubry wrote on Twitter.
"It's time he considered his position," added fellow Conservative MP Simon Hoare.
Bill co-author, Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, said Mr Chope’s actions were “appalling”, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he was “very disappointed”.
Labour MP Dawn Butler, the shadow equalities minister, labelled Mr Chope a “dinosaur”.
“It’s unacceptable that this dinosaur of a Tory MP consistently gets away with blocking new laws to protect the safety and rights of women,” she said in a statement.
“Christopher Chope is causing shame and embarrassment for the Tories but also for the country and it’s time for the Tories to show they really care about these issues by stripping him of the whip.”
FGM refers to procedures involving the injury or removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
An estimated 3 million girls are at risk of FGM every year, according to the World Health Organisation, the majority of whom are cut before the age of 15 years.
