A Conservative MP in the UK has been branded "appalling" and an "embarrassment to [his] party and humanity" for blocking a bill that sought to prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) among children.
On Friday, Sir Christopher Chope, 71, shouted "object!" in Parliament to proposals that would have allowed courts to issue protection orders if a child is deemed at risk of FGM. HuffPost reports that politicians in the chamber audibly groaned at the sound of Chope's objection.
Under the rules of parliamentary procedure, it only takes one MP to register their disapproval to block the passage of a bill. That MP would be Chope, a die-hard Brexiteer who has made a name for himself by repeatedly stymying legislation around women and girls' rights.
In 2018, he almost derailed the passage of a law against upskirting when he blocked it in Parliament. That same year, he blocked a motion that proposed to celebrate the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK by holding a Women MPs of the World conference in Parliament.
Chope claims that he rejects all such Private Member's Bills (legislative proposals introduced by an MP and not as part of the government's planned legislation) on principle.
Female Genital Mutilation Bill Blocked by 'Appalling' UK Conservative MP
Sir Christopher Chope has been described as an "embarrassment to humanity" for objecting to legislation that would protect children from FGM.
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