PM knew about Pincher grope claims
BORIS Johnson was aware of allegations against Chris Pincher when he appointed him as a whip, Downing Street has admitted.
Mr Pincher quit last week over claims that he groped two men at a private London members’ club.
In a U-turn, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman conceded yesterday that he had been aware of claims when he made Mr Pincher deputy chief whip in February, but had considered them to be ‘unsubstantiated’.
No 10 had previously insisted Mr Johnson was not aware of specific allegations.
Mr Pincher resigned as a whip in 2017 over claims he made unwanted advances to a young activist, but was reinstated after an internal investigation. But details have emerged of further claims about alleged sexual advances to men – including two fellow Conservative MPs – allegations he denies.
Last night, Sky News reported claims that Mr Johnson’s wife Carrie questioned Mr Pincher’s suitability as a whip in 2017, while she was communications director at Conservative Party headquarters.
The PM’s spokesman said: ‘He did take advice on some allegations, but there was no formal complaint at that time and it was deemed not appropriate to stop an appointment because of unsubstantiated allegations. He was aware that there had been reports and speculation over the years with regards to this individual, but there were no specific allegation. There was no formal complaint at that time.’
The spokesman declined to comment on a claim by Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, that the Prime Minister had referred to the MP as ‘Pincher by name, pincher by nature’. The spokesman said: ‘I’m simply not going to comment on content of what was or wasn’t said in private conversations.’
Mr Pincher now faces a probe by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme after one of the men he allegedly groped at the Carlton Club made a formal complaint.
Although Mr Pincher quit his government position on Thursday evening, it was not until 5pm on Friday that he had the whip withdrawn and was expelled from the parliamentary Conservative Party.
In a statement at the weekend, the Tamworth MP – who now sits as an independent – said he would co-operate fully with the inquiry.
‘As I told the Prime Minister, I drank far too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others, and I am truly sorry for the upset I caused,’ he said.
‘The stresses of the last few days, coming on top of those over the last several months, have made me accept I will benefit from professional medical support.’
‘There was no formal complaint at that time’