THE government is to introduce a law to ban ‘upskirting’ after Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope provoked a furious response by blocking a bill on the issue.

Pressure is mounting on the 71-year-old parliamentarian, with one fellow Tory MP in  Dorset calling on him to “apologise and learn”.

Sir Christopher blocked a bill on the upskirting last Friday, but justice minister Lucy Frazer has announced that a government bill on the issue will be put before MPs on Thursday.

Campaigner Gina Martin, who was the victim of upskirting, said: “I am so happy I could cry.”

Christchurch artist Lorna Rees was so outraged by her MP’s actions that she strung three pairs of pants on the door of his  office in Bargates.

Her pictures of the protest have been retweeted 10,000 times and shared 13,000 times on Facebook.

Lorna, 39, said: “I’m not the sort of person who shouts and raves at other people so I thought a gentle and light-hearted protest would be more effective. I had no idea it was going to take off the way it did but I’m very glad.”

The MP’s office in Westminster was also adorned with underwear.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo at the weekend, Sir Christopher insisted he did back a ban on taking photos up women’s skirts.

But North Dorset MP Simon Hoare tweeted: “Sorry really is the hardest word. Put the shovel down, apologise and learn.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable tweeted: “If Chope keeps the Tory whip we must assume that the label of ‘party for perverts’ sticks.”

The lawyer working with Gina Martin said they ried to talk to Sir Christopher before he blocked the bill.

Ryan Whelan, associate at Gibson, Dunn and Cruthcer, told the Daily Echo: “Attempts had been made to speak with him – to make the point that the bill had been widely consulted on – but these were rebuffed.”

However, Bournemouth councillor Nick Rose said: “Thank heavens for the dying breed of MPs that includes Sir Christopher Chope. 

“Regardless of how well-meaning the legislation is, he has been brave enough to take a stand to ensure the law is properly debated. Legislate in haste, repent at leisure.”

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom told the regular weekly meeting of cabinet that the upskirting legislation will now be adopted as a Government Bill to improve its chances of becoming law.

Theresa May told Cabinet that upskirting was "an invasion of privacy which leaves victims feeling degraded and distressed", her spokesman told reporters.

The spokesman said there was no mention at the 90-minute meeting of Sir Christopher's intervention or of calls for reform of the procedures for private members' bills.

It is not believed that the Prime Minister has spoken with Sir Christopher since Friday.