The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tory whip refers himself to police over allegations
MP has been accused of making a pass at ex-Olympic rower Alex Story
Conservative MP Chris Pincher has “voluntarily stood down” from the Whips’ Office and referred himself to the party’s complaints procedure and the police following allegations over his behaviour, a Downing Street spokesman said.
The move comes after the Mail on Sunday reported that Mr Pincher had been accused of making an unwanted pass at former Olympic rower and Conservative activist Alex Story.
Mr Pincher told the newspaper: “If Mr Story has ever felt offended by anything I said then I can only apologise to him.”
The development followed a turbulent day for the Tories which saw three other MPs having allegations against them looked into.
Former Cabinet minister Stephen Crabb was the most prominent MP being referred for investigation.
And former health minister Dan Poulter was also referred to the party’s disciplinary committee over allegations about his behaviour, along with fellow MP Daniel Kawczynski.
As the wave of sleaze allegations engulfing Westminster showed no sign of easing, Home Secretary Amber Rudd signalled that MPs found guilty of sexual harassment could be kicked out of the Commons under a new crackdown.
She told Sky News she wanted the sanction of sacking MPs to be considered as part of a major overhaul of antiharassment procedures at Westminster.
She said: “I think that that is one of the things I would encourage the review to look at. It may be the case, it may not.
“I think what we need to do is look at the whole issue. There needs to be a procedure put in place as soon as possible.”
She said Westminster was undergoing a “watershed moment”, and insisted the end result of the spate of claims about inappropriate behaviour that has rocked politics will be positive after a “clear out”.
Ms Rudd described as “disgusting” an incident in which former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon is alleged to have lunged at a journalist and tried to kiss her on the lips.
The comments came after Jane Merrick alleged in The Observer that the incident took place after a 2003 lunch when she was a 29-year-old junior political reporter.
Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet other party leaders today to try to agree a way to tackle the culture of harassment at Westminster.