LONDON, June 16 (Xinhua) -- A spate of criticisms have been aired in Britain after a Conservative MP blocked an attempt to make upskirting a criminal offence in England and Wales.
The move came after Christopher Chope had objected to the private member's bill.
If passed, the bill could see the convict who has secretly taken a photo under a victim's skirt face up to two years behind bars.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, who was "disappointed", has said she wanted to see the bill pass soon "with government support".
British Minister for Women Victoria Atkins said the government will allocate time for the bill in Parliament to ensure it does not get pushed down the list of private members' bills. Media said that would mean it could some time to return to the Commons.
Some high level officials have also criticized Christopher's intervention.
Justice Secretary David Gauke tweeted that he was "disappointed" that no progress had been made. "The law needs to be reformed," he said.
Christopher has not spoken out about why he blocked the bill but Gina Martin, an upskirting victim who started the campaign for the new law, told media that the MP had told her he objected to it "on principle" because it "wasn't debated".
