A senior Conservative MP and a journalist have both accused Stanley Johnson, the Prime Minister’s father, of inappropriately touching them.

But who are the women behind the claims and what have they said? 

First let's take a look at the timeline of these allegations.

What you need to know about Stanley Johnson and the 'groping' claims

Stanley Johnson served as a Conservative member of the European Parliament between 1979 and 1984.

From the early 2000s, Mr Johnson launched a campaign to become an MP once more - but he lost the race in 2005.

The allegations against Stanley Johnson

Fast forward to now, the allegations were first raised by Caroline Nokes MP, the chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, during a panel meeting. 

Ms Nokes claims Mr Johnson forcefully smacked her on the backside and said she has “a lovely seat” in 2003.

The alleged incident took place during the Conservative party conference in Blackpool 2003, she claims, ahead of Mr Johnson running in the Teignbridge seat in Devon in 2005.

“I’ve had male MPs stick their hands on my backside in Strangers’ Bar (in Parliament),” Ms Nokes said during a panel discussion.

'I didn't do anything and I feel ashamed'

Ms Nokes continued: “And I can remember a really prominent man smacking me on the backside about as hard as he could and going, ‘Oh, Romsey, you’ve got a lovely seat’.

“Stanley Johnson did that to me ahead of the ‘05 election, so it was Blackpool… 2003/4.

“I didn’t do anything and I feel ashamed by that… now I probably would.”

The allegation prompted Ailbhe Rea, a journalist for the New Statesman magazine, to accuse Mr Johnson of having “groped” her at the 2019 Tory conference.

Responding to the allegation on Twitter, Ms Rea said: “Stanley Johnson also groped me at a party at Conservative conference in 2019.

“I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister’s father.”

Mr Johnson - now 81 - did not immediately respond to both of the allegations when approached for comment.

But, regarding the initial accusation, he told Sky News: “I have no recollection of Caroline Nokes at all. But there you go … and no reply.”

There is no official investigation at this time.

But Home Office minister Damian Hinds told Times Radio on Tuesday, November 16: “If there is an investigation to be had, if that is the appropriate course of action, then of course that will happen.”

Who is Caroline Nokes?

Caroline Nokes was elected as the MP for Romsey and Southampton North in Hampshire during the 2010 general election.

The MP has previously described her particular political interests as international development, sport, the equine industry, the environment, energy, animal welfare, family law, local government and planning.

Ms Nokes was elected as the chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee on January 29, 2020.

Recent work saw her sign an open letter from Stylist magazine calling on the Government to address what it described as an "epidemic of male violence".

The letter called for an "ongoing, high-profile, expert-informed awareness campaign on men’s violence against women and girls".

Ms Nokes has since thanked “the sisterhood” for the “solidarity and support” after she accused Stanley Johnson of inappropriately touching her.

She tweeted: “Just wanted to thank the sisterhood for the solidarity and support today. You know who you are and you’re amazing.”

Who is Ailbhe Rea?

Ailbhe Rea is a political correspondent working for The New Statesman in London.

She is originally from Belfast.

From live political news to international matters, Ailbhe works from the heart of Parliament in a small office.