A police officer victim of sexual abuse was not allowed to report the crime to a watchdog, an MP has said.

Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey raised the case in the House of Commons on Wednesday, highlighting the lack of support available to his constituent who was a serving police officer when they were the victim of domestic and sexual abuse.

Directing a question at minister for violence against women and girls Jess Phillips, MR Paffey singled out the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

He said: “A constituent of mine suffered horrendous domestic and sexual abuse while she was a serving police officer.

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“Inexplicably she was not allowed by the rules to take her complaint to the IOPC, therefore becoming a victim of the very system that was meant to offer her protection.

“Does the minister agree that a woman’s right to get justice should not depend on the job that she happens to be doing?”

Responding, Ms Phillips said she “absolutely agreed” and said, “allegations of any crime involving serving police officers should be investigated robustly and independently by the police.”