Labour has written to Boris Johnson demanding to know what he knew of the claims about Chris Pincher.
Image source, EPABoris Johnson is under mounting pressure to reveal what he knew about allegations of inappropriate behaviour concerning Chris Pincher when he was appointed deputy chief whip.
Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds has written to the PM seeking details on what No 10 knew of the claims.
“Only Boris Johnson could have looked at this guy’s record and thought ‘he deserves a promotion’,” she said.
Minister Therese Coffey said the PM was not aware of “specific allegations”.
After allegations emerged that he had groped two men, Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on Thursday, telling the PM he “drank far too much”. The following day he was suspended as a Conservative MP.
Mr Pincher now faces six new claims of inappropriate behaviour stretching back several years, which he has denied.
His resignation last week was the second time he had stepped back from the whips’ office.
He also resigned after Conservative candidate Alex Story accused him of making an inappropriate advance in 2017.
In a statement, Ms Dodds accused the PM of being “happy to sweep sexual misconduct under the carpet in order to save his own skin”.
She also questioned why the Tory whip was not suspended until Friday – two days after the alleged incident at London’s Carlton Club.
Work and Pensions Secretary Ms Coffey said on Sunday that “to the best of my knowledge” the prime minister was not aware of specific allegations about Mr Pincher when he was appointed to the whips’ office in February.
She said she had not spoken to the prime minister directly and had received the assurance from the No 10 press office.
Earlier, she told Sky News Mr Pincher’s appointment in February had gone through a vetting process “like normal”.
No 10 has not denied a claim by Mr Johnson’s former chief aide, Dominic Cummings, that the PM referred to the former deputy chief whip as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” before appointing him.
Mr Johnson is also facing questions from within his own party over his handling of the allegations.
There are suggestions that the upcoming elections for the executive of the 1922 Committee backbench group of MPs could lead to a confidence vote for the PM sooner than is currently allowed under existing party rules.
The change would mean that a second confidence vote could be held if 90 Tory MPs – 25% – submit letters to the 1922 leadership.
Mr Pincher remains an independent MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire.
What happened when?
Image source, PA Media
Wednesday 29 June: Chris Pincher was seen “extremely drunk” at London’s Carlton Club for Conservative Party members, witnesses later told the BBC
Thursday: Mr Pincher resigns as deputy chief whip, telling the PM he “drank far too much”, after allegations emerge that he groped two men at the club
Friday: He is suspended as a Conservative MP after being reported to Parliament’s behaviour watchdog
Saturday: Mr Pincher says he is seeking professional medical support and is “truly sorry for the upset I caused”
Sunday: New allegations emerge against the MP, which he denies
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