Further delay in enforcing sexual harassment law

An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, proposed by Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin, did not pass

Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin has accused the government of "dragging its feet" over the implementation of a law to criminalise public sexual harassment.

MPs passed the Protection from Sex Based Harassment in Public Act in 2023, which was introduced by the previous Conservative Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark following a campaign from his constituents.

But the law is yet to come into force because the government is required to pass a "statutory instrument". The previous Conservative government's plans to do this last year were interrupted by the general election.

On Wednesday, MPs rejected an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, proposed by Martin, which would have enforced the act.

The act created a new specific offence for harassment in public on account of an individual's sex, including intrusive or persistent staring or questioning, following someone, sexual or obscene comments, propositions or gestures and non-consensual physical contact.

The Liberal Democrat MP said he had met or received communication from the government five times over the last eight months.

Each time they had "failed to say when the act will be implemented", he added.

Martin said: "This act is an extremely important building block in our campaign to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls in this Parliament – a goal I feel incredibly strongly about.

"I would have thought the Government – with its aim to halve Violence Against Women and Girls – would want to see this act enforced quickly."

The Home Office has been approached for comment.