In a statement released on Friday, the influential Treasury committee of the UK Parliament announced the launch of a new inquiry into sexism within the country's finance industry.

The investigation will evaluate various issues, including the progress made in eliminating gender pay gaps, strategies for promoting diversity, and combating sexual harassment and misogyny. This move comes in light of renewed attention on sexual misconduct within finance, following the recent removal of hedge fund founder Crispin Odey from his firm due to allegations of sexual misconduct reported by the Financial Times and Tortoise Media. Odey has denied these allegations.

A previous inquiry conducted by the Treasury committee had called for the eradication of "alpha-male" cultures within firms, the elimination of the stigma associated with flexible working, and the encouragement of companies to publish plans for closing gender pay gaps.

While the finance industry is one of the most lucrative sectors in the UK, it is also known for its significant gender inequality. Photo by UK Parliament, Wikimedia commons.