Calls for Chief Whip to quit over vote ‘lie’
The Chief Whip last night faced mounting criticism from Conservative colleagues and calls to resign after it emerged that he urged Tory MPS to break with “pairing arrangements” to avert a damaging Brexit defeat. Julian Smith was accused of lying after he asked Tory MPS to break the parliamentary convention under which pairs of MPS from different sides of the House agree not to vote so an absence for illness, travel or maternity does not affect the result.
THE Chief Whip last night faced mounting criticism from Tory colleagues and calls to resign after it emerged that he urged Tory MPS to break with “pairing arrangements” to avert a damaging Brexit defeat.
Julian Smith was accused of lying after he asked Tory MPS to break the parliamentary convention under which pairs of MPS on different sides of the house agree not to vote so an absence for illness, travel or maternity leave does not affect the result.
Brandon Lewis, the chairman of the Conservative Party, voted on a key vote on the customs union on Tuesday after being told to break his pair by Mr Smith. It breached a deal with Jo Swinson, a Liberal Democrat MP on maternity leave, who accused him of “cheating”.
Mr Lewis has apologised to Ms Swinson and insisted it was an “honest mistake” by whips. The Prime Minister also claimed on Wednesday that the pairing breach by Mr Lewis was “in error”. However, doubt was cast on their version of events last night after it emerged that Mr Smith told Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat chief whip, that he had deliberately intended to break the pairing involving Mr Lewis.
But he added that he had been unaware that his pairing involved Ms Swinson, an MP on maternity leave, and apologised to Mr Carmichael.
Four other Tory MPS said that they were told to break their pairs but refused to do so. One told The Sun: “Julian told me I was needed and told me to come in and vote. Of course he knew I was paired. I didn’t vote and honoured my pair, and he demanded to know why not afterwards. It then appears Julian told the Prime Minister it was all an honest mistake.”
Heidi Allen, a pro-european Tory MP, said: “I sincerely hope this isn’t true. No matter how tough the going gets, principle, integrity and standards matter. Without those, what’s left?”
Peter Bone, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, said that the Commons ran on “tradition and trust” and he would be “very concerned” if pairing arrangements had broken down.
Tom Watson, the Labour Party deputy leader, said: “Someone is lying here. Either the Chief Whip resigns or the Prime Minister is tainted by his disgrace.”
Downing Street said Mrs May still had full confidence in Mr Smith. A Conservative spokesman said: “We have apologised for the fact that a pregnancy pairing arrangement was broken in error this week. No other pairs offered on the trade bill on Tuesday were broken.”