Tory MP in sexting scandal ‘linked to sting that helped bring down Boris’
THE Tory MP at the centre of a ‘honeytrap’ sexting scandal has been linked to a suspected sting operation which ultimately helped to bring down Boris Johnson.
Senior party sources allege that William Wragg helped to bring allegations of sexual misconduct against key Johnson ally Chris Pincher in June 2022.
The scandal over Mr Pincher groping two men at the Carlton Club in London led to his resignation as deputy chief whip and an eightweek Commons suspension before he quit as an MP in September 2023.
Mr Pincher had been in charge of the socalled ‘Operation Save Big Dog’ to stop rebel MPs from ousting Mr Johnson. But friends of the former prime minister believe Mr Pincher and other Johnson loyalists were targeted by critics – which included Mr Wragg – to destabilise his premiership.
Other sources even claim Russia helped with the efforts because of Mr Johnson’s opposition to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, although there is no suggestion Mr Wragg is linked to disinformation spreading.
Senior Tory figures told The Mail on Sunday yesterday that Hazel Grove MP Mr Wragg was closely connected with one of the men who made allegations about Mr Pincher’s behaviour in the Carlton Club, the spiritual home of the Tory Party.
A source said: ‘One of the men who claimed to be assaulted by Mr Pincher was in close contact with Mr Wragg that night, and messaged him to effectively say, “We’ve got him”.
‘I believe it was a “sting” to bring down Chris as the precursor to getting rid of Boris completely.’
On Thursday, Mr Wragg admitted sharing fellow MPs’ personal phone numbers with a man he met on a dating app in an apparent ‘honeytrap’.
Mr Wragg could not be reached for comment yesterday. But allies sprang to his defence and insisted he would not have been involved in any plot to target Mr Pincher.
Friends of the former deputy chief whip have privately raised fears that he was the victim of a sting but without knowing who could have been behind it.
And last night, Johnson ally Nadine Dorries questioned why Mr Wragg was not being disciplined by the Tory Party after last week’s revelations which sparked police and security investigations.
Former Cabinet minister Ms Dorries told The Mail on Sunday: ‘One has to ask the question what is the real reason why No10 are circling the wagons to protect William Wragg in this way?
‘It totally stinks and it’s utterly bizarre when other MPs have lost the Whip for far less.’ She added: ‘Boris Johnson was removed from his post as PM for not removing the Whip from Chris Pincher quickly enough. It’s not like Wragg has made a significant contribution to the Tory cause.’
However, senior part members have thrown a protective arm around Mr Wragg, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt praising his ‘courageous and fulsome’ apology for his behaviour last week.
Mr Wragg has already said he intends to leave the Commons at the next election. But last night one Tory critic, who does not wished to be named, said: ‘He should, for once, do the decent thing and resign his seat now.’
‘He should, for once, do the decent thing and resign now’