Boris Johnson's ex-wife Marina Wheeler is Labour's sexual harassment adviser

Boris Johnson's ex-wife Marina Wheeler KC has been appointed as Labour's adviser on protecting women against workplace harassment.

Ms Wheeler, an employment lawyer, will look at how to make it easier for workers to blow the whistle on bullying and discrimination at work.

Workplace whistleblowers are already protected from unfair dismissal.

But the law only applies in certain circumstances - such as when employers have committed criminal offences.

Labour wants to extend the protections to cover people who want to go public about unacceptable behaviour they have faced from bosses, something the party says disproportionately affects women.

In a speech to the Labour conference on Tuesday, shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry will say: "For too long, a woman suffering sexual harassment in the workplace has faced a terrible choice: if she speaks out, the individual responsible may be investigated, but even then, she still risks losing her job and her other employment rights, while he gets a slap on the wrist.

"It is time we offered the same protections to people reporting sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination in the workplace as we do to other whistleblowers."

In a statement, Ms Wheeler said: "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."

She highlighted a recent survey in which female surgeons reported suffering sexual harassment or assault at the hands of colleagues during the five preceding 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.

Ms Thornberry will also set out plans to strengthen the property rights of unmarried women who live with their partners, in England and Wales.

"For too long, women in co-habiting couples have been left with no rights when those relationships come to an end.

"If there is no joint property or parental responsibilities, a man can kick his partner out of their home, and leave her with nothing, especially if he has the means to go to court, and she does not."

She will add: "No woman should be forced to get married or stay in an unhappy relationship just to avoid being put out on the street."

Marina Wheeler and Boris Johnson, who have four children, separated in 2018 after marrying in 1993.

They reached a divorce settlement in February 2020.