Chris Pincher allegations do ‘huge damage’ to trust in parliament, says Tory minister
Boris Johnson was given a “first-hand account” of allegations against Chris Pincher before he was promoted to the role of deputy chief whip, The Independent has learned.
The prime minister was told about the claims of inappropriate sexual behaviour against the Tory MP on at least two occasions, according to a senior Downing Street source.
“The prime minister was made directly aware of a first-hand account of inappropriate sexual touching. He was told in early February and also in May,” a No 10 staffer said.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer accused the PM of showing “bad judgement” in appointing Mr Pincher to the whips’ office.
He told Sky News: “I have got no sympathy with a prime minister who repeatedly makes bad judgment calls.
“We have been living with a version of this story for month after month after month. Bad judgment by a man who puts himself above everything. I don’t have any sympathy for him.”
No 10 reject Diane Abbott’s claims about Johnson
After Labour MP Diane Abbott said on a BBC Radio 4 show that Boris Johnson is “rumoured to like assaulting women”, No 10 has responded saying the “claim is untrue”.
Ms Abbott also accused the prime minister of hypocrisy while responding to a question about allegations surrounding Chris Pincher.
The PM’s official spokesman said: “Obviously that claim is untrue. But I’m not going to get into engaging on political points beyond that.”
During the segment on the show, host Paddy O’Connell queried her claim and added: “Diane, you’ve got to answer my questions rather than raising new claims.”
The spokesperson also said that the BBC had temporarily removed the programme from its catch-up service to edit out the segment.
Maroosha Muzaffar5 July 2022 05:30
Carrie Johnson openly questioned Chris Pincher’s suitability as a government whip, report says
Carrie Johnson had openly questioned Chris Pincher’s suitability as a government whip five years ago, according to a report.
Sky News said that Ms Johnson questioned how Mr Pincher ended up in the whip’s office.
Last week was the second time Mr Pincher resigned from the whip’s office. He first resigned in 2017 after a Conservative candidate accused him of making an inappropriate advance.
The Independent, meanwhile, learned that Boris Johnson was given a “first-hand account” of allegations against Mr Pincher before he was promoted to the role of deputy chief whip.
Maroosha Muzaffar5 July 2022 05:10
Johnson was given ‘first-hand account’ of allegations against Pincher before promoting him
Boris Johnson was given a “first-hand account” of inappropriate sexual behaviour by Chris Pincher before his appointment to the role of deputy chief whip, The Independent has learned.
Read the full story here:
Maroosha Muzaffar5 July 2022 04:45