Downing Street lobby briefing on harassment non-disclosure agreements, Nadhim Zahawi and new extremism commission chief
2 min read
Theresa May will look into controversial gagging orders that prevent women from reporting sexual harassment, Downing Street said today.
“Questions have been raised about the operation of NDAs. The PM will look into the way these non-disclosure agreements are applied to see if changes are required.
“I’m not going to pre-empt the outcome of this. Issues have been raised and we will look into it.
“The Prime Minister, as head of government, will look into it but these details about exactly [what form] that will take we will set out in due course.”
The spokesman said the Prime Minister had full confidence in Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi who attended the controversial Presidents Club dinner but claims to have left early.
“Yes she has full confidence in him. In terms of an event of this type I think the Prime Minister's view is clear on this. She is appalled and this shows there is a long way to go to ensure women are treated properly as equals. She has not spoken to him. She only spoke to the chief whip last night.”
The Prime Minister says any woman who feels they have been sexually harassed at work should report it.
“I think any woman who feels she was sexually harassed in the workplace should report it to the police. That is a crime.”
And he said the Prime Minister had no problems with single-sex clubs per se.
“She made clear she didn’t take issue with single sex clubs per se… Her position remains. She doesn’t have an issue with single sex clubs per se.”
He said the Prime Minister rejects the charge by critics that new anti-extremism commission chief Sarah Khan is a Home Office stooge.
“Sara Khan is expertly qualified to lead the important work of the new commission for countering extremism and she will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the commission.”
