Whip rap for ‘pairing’ trick

TORY Chief Whip Julian Smith faces Labour calls to quit after allegedly telling MPs to ignore the ancient “pairing” system to avoid a Brexit defeat.

Under pairing, if an MP cannot attend a vote, a rival MP also agrees to sit it out.

Pregnant Lib Dem Jo Swinson said Brandon Lewis ignored a deal on Tuesday.

Tory sources last night said Smith asked MPs to ditch “short-term” pairings. The party said the Swinson deal was broken “in error”.