Scandals cost UK’S Tory whip, US state speaker their jobs

KENTUCKY HOUSE SPEAKER JEFF HOOVER DENIED SEXUALLY HARASSING A STAFF MEMBER, BUT SAID HE SENT INAPPROPRIATE TEXT MESSAGES THAT WERE CONSENSUAL.

LONDON/FRANKFORT: Conservative MP Chris Pincher has “voluntarily stood down” from the whips’ office in Britain and referred himself to the party’s complaints procedure and the police following an allegation about his behaviour, a Downing Street spokesman said.

The move came after two other Conservative MPS, Dan Poulter and Daniel Kawczynski, were referred to the party’s new internal party disciplinary system, it was announced on Sunday.

It means that four MPS will now be investigated under the process, announced by Theresa May last week. Stephen Crabb, the former pensions secretary, was referred on Saturday after admitting he sent suggestive text messages to a teenager.

Pincher, the MP for Tamworth was reported by the Mail on Sunday as making an unwanted pass at the former Olympic rower and Conservative activist Alex Story. The alleged incident reportedly took place with Pincher dressed in a bathrobe at his London home.

Pincher was appointed as a government whip in June, after serving as an assistant whip since July 2016. Pincher reportedly said on Saturday evening: “I do not recognise either the events or the interpretation placed on them by the Mail on Sunday.

In the US, Kentucky’s Republican House speaker resigned his leadership position on Sunday after acknowledging he settled sexual harassment claims from one of his staffers last month.

Jeff Hoover denied sexually harassing the staff member, but said he sent inappropriate text messages that were consensual. Hoover’s wife and two of his three daughters were in the room as he spoke. “I engaged in banter that was consensual but make no mistake it was wrong on my part to do that. And for that, I am truly sorry,” Hoover said.