Boris Johnson's ex will join Labour's fight against sexual harassment at work

Marina Wheeler finalized her divorce from the former prime minister in early 2020. Photo: Jay Williams

Boris Johnson's ex-wife is getting married. to become Labour's new «whistleblower king», it emerged this weekend when the party announced a planned crackdown on sexual harassment at work.

Marina Wheeler KS, one of Britain's leading civil rights lawyers, was enlisted by the opposition as part of efforts to strengthen employment protection.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, confirmed that employers would have a legal duty to take «all reasonable steps» to prevent harassment in the workplace.

Speaking to the party's annual conference in Liverpool, Ms Rayner said : “I was pleased to announce today that Labor will properly tackle sexual harassment at work.”

“It’s shocking that two thirds of young women have experienced it. was sexually harassed at work. This must change.

“That’s why the next Labor government will amend the Equality Act to introduce a legal duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to stop sexual harassment before it starts.”

Deputy Labor Party leader Angela Rayner announces her workplace policy. Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Ms Wheeler has four children with Mr Johnson and split from the former prime minister after 25 years of marriage, with the couple finalizing their divorce in early 2020.

Speaking of her decision to join forces with Ms Rayner on the issue, she told the Independent newspaper: «[Women in the workplace] too often suffer sexual harassment and assault and pay a high price for speaking out.»

«Knowing this helps keep their jobs , they suffer in silence.”

These measures will complement existing provisions of the Equality Act, which makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against employees because of their sex.

Harassment currently falls under this category, including treating employees less favorably because they have rejected sexual advances.

One third experience sexual harassment

Latest figures from the Government Equalities Office show Almost a third of working women have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work or in a work-related environment.

Data analysis The Labor Party estimates that 4.7 million women are sexually harassed at work each year, with 17 per cent deciding to move to another job because of their experience.

Last month, the city watchdog confirmed that will begin prosecuting workplace misconduct following allegations of sexual harassment against Crispin Odey.

Lawyers for Mr Odey, the hedge fund tycoon, say he «vehemently disputes» a series of allegations of misconduct over 25 years years.

Elsewhere in her speech, Ms Rayner said women suffering menopausal symptoms at work would «get the support they deserve» and also promised to «empower» women in business.

She also denied reports that the party's flagship Workers' New Deal, which sets out various additional employment policies, would be watered down.

«Make no mistake — not under the leadership of Keir and me,» Ms. Ms Rayner to delegates.

“We will ban zero-hours contracts, [end] firing and rehiring and give workers fundamental rights from day one. We will go further and faster to close the gender pay gap, make work more family-friendly and tackle sexual harassment.

“And we won’t stop there. We will ensure that unions can stand up for their members. We will intensify collective bargaining to improve workers' wages and working conditions.»