Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden faces PMQs amid claims of 'predatory culture' at Westminster

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden is facing PMQs amid a new partygate investigation and claims of a pervasive “predatory culture” in Westminster.

It comes after the SNP’s deputy leader in the House of Commons announced she will stand down at the next election citing the “toxic” work environment in Parliament.

Speaking to The News Agents podcast, she said Westminster is “one of the most unhealthy workplaces that you could ever be in”.

“It’s definitely a poisonous place,” she said.

Six members of Westminster staff told BBC Newsnight a “predatory culture” still exists around the Commons, with inappropriate flirting and sexual misconduct still prevalent.

Dowden, who is stepping in for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will field questions from MPs the day after the Metropolitan Police announced it had launched a fresh probe into a second alleged gathering of Tory MPs during the Covid pandemic.

The force said new evidence that was “not previously provided” had prompted officers to look again at the Christmas event at Conservative Campaign Headquarters on December 14, 2020, as well as an event in Parliament on December 8 of the same year.