SIR Christopher Chope is back in the news after being accused of blocking an international women's conference.

In the House of Commons last night the Christchurch MP shouted "object" to a 'motion without debate' made by his Tory colleague from Eastleigh Mims Davies, a Government whip.

The motion was to allow the Commons chamber to be used in the autumn to host the Women MPs of the World conference, and was put forward by a cross-party group of MPs.

It read: "That this House welcomes the events organised to celebrate women's suffrage and to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918; recognises that the Women MPs of the World Conference provides a unique opportunity to gather parliamentarians from across the world to engage in discussions about equal representation and bring about social change; and accordingly resolves that delegates participating in the Women MPs of the World Conference should be allowed to make use of the Chamber of this House on a day in November other than a day on which this House is sitting or a day on which the UK Youth Parliament is making use of the Chamber."

If there is no objection to such motions without debate they can be immediately passed with a verbal vote. Now there must be a debate.

The Echo understands that Sir Christopher was concerned over procedure. He has also tabled amendments related to the bill.

However as yet the MP has been unavailable to comment due to committee commitments in London.

Last month Sir Christopher received extensive criticism after objecting to a bill intended to make 'upskirting' a specific offence.

Bournemouth East MP and Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood called him an "embarrassment" and a "dinosaur", and women's underwear was hung around his offices in Parliament and Christchurch.

Sir Christopher said his actions were motivated by a concern that proper parliamentary procedure was being bypassed, and by a desire to see bills properly debated.

He also claimed the private member's bill, having been subsequently adopted by the Government, would pass into law more quickly as a result of his action.

These claims were denied by some of his parliamentary colleagues. North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said the bill would have been debated properly without the interjection.