Women mps stage sexism protest

MPS BOYCOTT THE START OF QUESTION SESSION AFTER CHICKEN TAUNTS DURING PENSION REFORM DEBATE WOMEN MPs boycotted the start of a questions session at the National Assembly after an MP made

sexist taunts during the speech of MP Véronique Massonneau. Ms Massonneau was interrupted several times by the sound of UMP MP Philippe Le Ray making chicken noises. His actions were

immediately criticised by the Assembly president Claude Bartolone, who suspended the session. Une députée interrompue à l'Assemblée par des... _par lemondefr_ Women MPs of the

Assembly’s left-wing parties boycotted the start of questions session, entering 15-minutes later to a mixture of applause, cheers and booing and prompting a further walkout by right-wing

MPs. Mr Le Ray will lose a quarter of his parliamentary allowance for one month. The minister for women’s rights Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said the incident was regrettable. “I think that, even

at late hours, there are deputies who sit and work extremely hard on essential laws. One can only regret that some have difficulty conserving an attitude in keeping with their status, after

dinners that are far too drunken,” she said. The newspaper Sud Ouest has put together some of the “greatest hits” of sexism among French MPs here.