PROMINENT barrister and former spouse of prime minister Boris Johnson is set to take on a pivotal role as Labour's adviser on protecting women against workplace harassment.
Marina Wheeler KC will assist the party in enhancing employment rights to protect women from hostile coworkers, reports said.
Labour's initiative aims to grant women subjected to workplace harassment "whistleblower" status, encouraging them to report abuses without the fear of reprisals.
The party also seeks to extend legal rights, including property rights, to women in cohabiting relationships, mirroring those enjoyed by married women.
Marina Wheeler, renowned for her expertise in employment law, will advise to help shape these reforms.
Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry is expected to unveil these proposals in her speech at the Labour's annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday (10). These measures are significant steps towards addressing workplace harassment and promoting gender equality, according to reports.
"Women in the workplace too often suffer sexual harassment and assault and they pay a heavy price for speaking out. Knowing this, and to keep their jobs, they suffer in silence," Wheeler said in a statement.
She pointed out a recent survey that revealed instances of sexual harassment or assault experienced by female surgeons from their colleagues over the past five years.
"Having spent over two decades litigating employment disputes, I am delighted to be working with Emily Thornberry to help formulate solutions - including law reform where necessary - to encourage women to come forward," she added.
Wheeler is the second prominent outsider to join Keir Starmer's team, following Sue Gray, the former civil servant whose report on Downing Street parties during Johnson's leadership played a part in his political decline. Gray now serves as Labour's chief of staff.
Wheeler is the daughter of journalist Sir Charles Wheeler and Dip Singh. Before marrying Sir Charles, Dip was married to renowned writer late Khushwant Singh’s younger brother, Daljit Singh.
Johnson and Wheeler were married for more than two decades and they often travelled to India to visit her extended family.
They separated in 2018 after marrying in 1993, and reached a divorce settlement in February 2020.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)