Is this the dirt-digging whip?

THE deputy chief whip is at the centre of an extraordinary row after being accused of mounting a smear campaign against a rising Tory star.

Former Army captain Johnny Mercer this week claimed party whips had tried to persuade fellow ex-servicemen to provide ‘dirt’ on him.

Now the Daily Mail can reveal that Chris Pincher, pictured left, the number two in the whips’ office, is the person accused of seeking damaging information on Mr Mercer, pictured right. Mr Pincher is alleged to have ‘asked for dirt’ after meeting a former Army colleague of Mr Mercer for a drink in February.

The deputy chief whip last night did not respond to requests for comment. Mr Mercer demanded that Julian Smith, the chief whip, take action. He said: ‘I’ve suggested he gains knowledge of it over the weekend and let’s me know what action he intends to take. ‘The individual concerned knows this has taken place; if he has the integrity to put his hands up, we can all move on. If not, let’s see what happens. Parliament is in need of serious reform.’ Mr Mercer, 37, who is seen as a future leadership contender, said the alleged plot revealed why the UK was in ‘such a mess’.