Boris: I did not blackmail my rebels

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson dismissed new allegations that his aides had tried to “blackmail” and threaten Conservative rebels, in a potentially criminal twist to Downing Street’s “partygate” scandal.

Senior Tory William Wragg disclosed the alleged intimidation campaign as Downing Street battles to protect Mr Johnson from calls within the party for his resignation.

“The intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. Reports of which I am aware would seem to constitute blackmail,” said Mr Wragg, one of seven Tory MPs who have publicly called for a party confidence vote. Addressing MPs, he said any affected members should report it the police and to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, addressing the chamber in sombre tones, said any such campaign would amount to “contempt” of parliament, which is a criminal offence.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon alleged the charge amounted to “corruption”, and accused Mr Johnson (pictured) of “tarnishing the office of prime minister”.

But Mr Johnson told reporters: “I’ve seen no evidence, heard no evidence, to support any of those allegations.

“What I am focused on is what we’re doing to deal with the number one priority of the British people, which is coming through Covid,” he said on a visit to a medical clinic in southwest England.

Mr Johnson refused to confirm his aides’ assertion that he would fight any no-confidence vote and would not comment further on the dramatic defection of Conservative MP Christian Wakeford to the Labour Party on Wednesday.

The alleged intimidation campaign includes threats to withdraw funding from rebels’ constituencies, and to leak damaging stories about them to the media.

Mr Wakeford said he had been told that his constituency in northwest England could lose a school if he did not fall into line behind the PM.