Call for Pincher to go as Phillips ‘taking on work’ Campaign to get MP who sparked Boris downfall to resign his seat
BIRMINGHAM MP Jess Phillips has revealed she is taking on the casework of Tamworth residents who do not feel comfortable contacting their local MP Chris Pincher, whose downfall sparked the resignation of Boris Johnson this year.
Mr Pincher, currently sitting as an independent after being stripped of the Conservative whip, said he had sought medical support after groping allegations.
Protests have been held outside Mr Pincher’s office in recent weeks with demonstrators calling for him to stand down as an MP and accusing him of “not doing anything for the community”.
A number of Tamworth councillors have also quit the Tory party after allegations of “infighting”.
During an extraordinary meeting of the council last week, opposition members called for Mr Pincher’s resignation.
They said the scandal had “damaged the town’s reputation”.
Cllr Daniel Cook – a former leader of the council – quit the Conservatives to form a breakaway party. He said he did not believe Mr Pincher should remain an MP.
“The situation in Tamworth when the stories exploded about Chris Pincher tore the Conservative Party in Tamworth in half,” he said. “There were those of us who just couldn’t stand to watch it and couldn’t stand to be a part of it.”
Cllr Cook described “toxic and horrible” infighting. He said he had “never seen anything like it in my life”.
Labour MP Ms Phillips, who represents Yardley, said Mr Pincher should “absolutely stand down”.
She said she was picking up casework from Tamworth residents which was “unusual because I’m not even that near to Tamworth”.
She said: “How many accusations is it against Chris Pincher that we’re going to tolerate before we think he shouldn’t be a member of parliament anymore? I’m glad he’s not seeing people face-toface. I wouldn’t want him seeing my constituents.
“Incidentally I am doing loads of casework for the people of Tamworth because lots of them don’t want to go [him]. I’ve had absolutely loads of people from Tamworth send me their casework. Specifically, unsurprisingly, vulnerable people who don’t feel that they want to go to him.”
In his latest statement, Mr Pincher who has not posted on his Twitter account since June 30 – said he had been receiving medial help.
He said: “It’s been a really very difficult few months for me and my family. I’ve been lucky to receive some very good medical and mental health support which has helped, and I’m still taking medication.
“I’ve been doing casework along with my office team to try to ensure constituents get the help they need or get their issues addressed, but I’ve been off social media. Three community issues recently in focus are the George Bryan Centre and good mental health services in Tamworth, banking services and Barclay’s keeping face-to-face services available in the town centre and asylum seekers temporarily housed in the Holiday Inn.”