Latest news with #sexualharassment
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suspended Nigerian senator behind harassment claim refused entry to parliament
A Nigerian senator who was suspended after accusing the senate president of sexual harassment, which he denies, has been refused entry to the parliamentary campus. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has linked the six-month suspension to her accusation but the senate leadership said it was because of "unruly and disruptive" behaviour during a legislative session. On Tuesday, her convoy was halted at the outer gate of the National Assembly in Abuja. Continuing on foot she was stopped by security at the inner gate. Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of just four women out of 109 senators, had vowed to return to work on Tuesday following a federal high court ruling that she said ordered the Senate to recall her. But Senate President Godswill Akpabio argued that the courts cannot interfere in parliamentary business. Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from parliament in March after submitting a petition saying she had been sexually harassed. Akpabio has gone to the court of appeal to challenge the decision that his female colleague should be reinstated, saying that parliamentary procedures are shielded from judicial interference. That court has not yet ruled. Speaking to journalists shortly after being denied entry to the National Assembly, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate leadership of being in contempt of court. 'Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian constitution. 'The office of the senate president does not give me legitimacy. My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi (state) who voted me in,' she said. The lawmaker said she would consult her legal team on the next steps. According to senate rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be allowed into the assembly premises until her suspension expires in September. Civil society groups in the country have expressed concerns over the lawmaker's treatment, calling for a transparent investigation into her allegations. More BBC stories on Nigeria: Buhari - the austere Nigerian military ruler who defeated a sitting president Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join forces Nigeria's major tax overhaul explained Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Suspended Nigerian senator refused entry to National Assembly
A Nigerian senator who was suspended after accusing the senate president of sexual harassment, which he denies, has been refused entry to the parliamentary Akpoti-Uduaghan has linked the six-month suspension to her accusation but the senate leadership said it was because of "unruly and disruptive" behaviour during a legislative Tuesday, her convoy was halted at the outer gate of the National Assembly in Abuja. Continuing on foot she was stopped by security at the inner one of just four women out of 109 senators, had vowed to return to work on Tuesday following a federal high court ruling that she said ordered the Senate to recall her. But Senate President Godswill Akpabio argued that the courts cannot interfere in parliamentary business. Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from parliament in March after submitting a petition saying she had been sexually has gone to the court of appeal to challenge the decision that his female colleague should be reinstated, saying that parliamentary procedures are shielded from judicial court has not yet to journalists shortly after being denied entry to the National Assembly, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate leadership of being in contempt of court.'Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian constitution. 'The office of the senate president does not give me legitimacy. My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi (state) who voted me in,' she lawmaker said she would consult her legal team on the next to senate rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be allowed into the assembly premises until her suspension expires in society groups in the country have expressed concerns over the lawmaker's treatment, calling for a transparent investigation into her allegations. More BBC stories on Nigeria: Buhari - the austere Nigerian military ruler who defeated a sitting presidentBig shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join forcesNigeria's major tax overhaul explained Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Barstool Sports star responds to accusations he made light of sexual harassment: 'I messed that one up'
A convoluted discussion of sexual harassment within the Barstool Sports workplace spilled onto the air this week, leading popular podcast host Dan 'Big Cat' Katz to admit fault in the exchange. Katz wasn't accused of sexual harassment. Rather, he may have mishandled a complaint from a female employee, who was uncomfortable with some of the BS content and off-camera conversations. That employee, Ella Grif, sent Katz a late-night text with a BS video that contained a conversation in which colleagues discussed kissing her. 'I think it was just a moment of weakness for her,' Katz told the panel before requesting Grif join them in studio. 'Tell her to get in here. I don't want to speak for her.' The conversation in the video only pertained to kissing, but was far more graphic off the air, according to Grif. 'Obviously I was drunk and I probably shouldn't have been texting, but I really thought I was on to something,' Grif said of her late-night text to Katz. 'I was like: 'This was so gross.' Ella Grif believes a conversation that took place off camera crossed a line in the workplace Unfortunately for her, since the clip only contained a discussion about kissing – and not the alleged X-rated off-air discussion – Katz was left confused. 'My heart dropped for a second, like, 'What did I say?' he recalled. 'I realize that and I was mortified the next day,' she said. 'I was like: 'Oh my good I seem like such a p****.' Grif ironed things out with Katz, who was nonetheless called out on social media over the exchange. 'FYI that ella segment on @BarstoolYak was Michael Scott level office management cringe,' one critic wrote on X, referencing a character from NBC's The Office. 'Was like watching a what not to do video when a female employee raises concerns about the office's college fraternity-esque work environment. 'Imagine she was your daughter.' Katz didn't challenge that assessment. 'Yup that was my f*** up,' he wrote on X, adding: 'I messed that one up for sure.' It's unclear if the alleged harassers have been punished in any way.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Security officers block Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering di National Assembly
Nigerian female senator wey bin raise allegations of sexual harassment against di senate president, don dey denied entry into di National Assembly building for Abuja dis Monday. Di senate bin suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for March dis year afta dem find her guilty of flouting dia standing rules, but on 5 July, 2025, di federal high court for Abuja rule say di senate "can and should recall her". Di senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, bin don tok say di ruling no be binding order but na mere advisory to di senate leadership wey dem fit obey or not. But Akpoti-Uduaghan bin tell her supporters say she go resume for di senate chambers on Tuesday in accordance wit di court ruling. Security presence for di entrance of di National Assembly complex bin dey tighter on Tuesday in anticipation say di senator fit show up, and she true-true try to gain access into di complex but dem deny her entry. Dem first stop her vehicle for di outermost gate, but di senator come down and waka pass di first barricade wia another batch of security personnel stop her again. We dey update dis tori.
ABC News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
NSW Liberals will continue to work with MP Mark Latham on sexual harassment amendments
The Coalition will hold its nose and continue working with upper house MP Mark Latham on amendments that would change the definition of sexual harassment, says Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. The proposed amendments to the government's workers compensation bill could prevent some employees who are subject to unwanted sexual advances from claiming compensation. Under the Coalition amendments, for behaviour to qualify as sexual harassment, an accused worker would have to "know" or "should reasonably know" that their sexual advance or conduct was "unwelcome". While the NSW government's bill takes the victim's opinion into account, the Coalition amendments state that an alleged perpetrator's "knowledge and intent" should be the primary factor. Mr Speakman said the changes would still protect workers from "ignorant bigots" but wouldn't necessarily allow employees to claim compensation if a colleague "makes a pass" at them. "It's not just whether the worker who makes a complaint says it's unwelcome," Mr Speakman said. "It's whether there was knowledge, or somebody who was reasonable, ought to have known [it was unwelcome]." A series of amendments to the workers compensation bill carry the name of both Mr Latham and Damien Tudehope, the leader of the opposition in the upper house. They were circulated before news broke that Mr Latham's former partner, Nathalie Matthews, had sought an apprehended violence order against him. Police are not involved in the matter and the independent MP has labelled Ms Matthews' claims "comically false and ridiculous" whilst vowing to defend himself in court. Last week, it also emerged that Mr Latham had sent disparaging photos and comments about some female MPs to Ms Matthews, which he said was part of an "in-joke" that had been taken out of context. He has since apologised, describing the photos as "ill-advised". Mr Speakman, who has just returned from leave, said Mr Latham's behaviour on the floor of parliament was "deplorable". "But they're the cards with which we've been dealt." He said Mr Latham had been duly elected by the people of NSW, so the Coalition would continue to work with him. "Sometimes you've got to hold your nose," he said. During a lengthy media conference on Saturday, Mr Latham said he'd had numerous conversations with government ministers about the passage of legislation. Mr Speakman said it showed the government was being hypocritical in its repeated demands that the Coalition sever ties with the independent MP. "What we won't do is pretend, like the government does, that we don't work with Mark Latham." The state government introduced its workers compensation bill earlier this year, in an effort to reduce premiums for employers, which are rising by an average of eight per cent a year. Under the changes, workers would be cut off from regular compensation payments after two-and-a-half years, unless they can prove a whole-person impairment of at least 31 per cent. The measure is designed to significantly reduce the benefits being paid to employees with psychological injury claims, which are rising rapidly. Mr Speakman said the government's plan would cut off support to victims of "severe" sexual harassment, when it should be preventing claims which have little merit. "[The problem] is not long-term benefits for a subset of workers," he said. He said that changing the definition of sexual harassment would be "much fairer and more productive" and denied it would excuse poor workplace behaviour. "If you have a bigot, who should know better, and makes unwelcome sexual advance, that will be covered by the amendment we proposed. "If the government wants to come up with alternative wording, we're happy to look at that," he said.
