Tories split over porn allegations as colleagues pile pressure on Green
The Conservative Party is split over the future of Theresa May’s deputy, with one cabinet minister saying it was “not acceptable” if Damian Green used a workplace computer to watch pornography as other senior Tories defended him.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said it was important to have “high standards” in public life and said most employers wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behaviour in the workplace.
The Number 10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell wants the First Secretary of State to “fall on his sword” and has said he should be “handed a whisky and a revolver”, according to reports.
However, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he has “confidence” in and “absolutely” trusts Mr Green.
And Nadine Dorries, the prominent Tory backbencher, said: “I would like to see the computer, the search history, and all the evidence before Damian Green is asked to fall on his sword.”
Mr Green has strongly denied ever downloading or viewing pornography on work computers, as has been alleged by two officers involved in a raid on his House of Commons office in 2008.
A Cabinet Office investigation into his conduct is expected to issue its report soon. Downing Street has committed to publish the report’s conclusions. The investigation is also examining allegations that he touched the knee of a young activist and sent her sexually suggestive texts, which he also denies.
Asked on the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show whether it was acceptable to view pornography on a workplace computer, Ms Greening said: “There are clear laws. I think most employers would say it wasn’t acceptable.”
The Education Secretary declined to comment directly on the investigation into Mr Green, but added: “I think it is important that we have high standards in public life.”
Meanwhile, Mr Hunt said: “I do have confidence in Damian Green and I have actually been in a situation Damian Green was in, where you are in the eye of a storm and everyone thinks you’ve done an absolutely terrible thing and what I learnt from that is that you have to wait until an investigation is completed.
“And I was vindicated at the end of that process in my own case but I think we have to allow the Cabinet Office to complete their investigation.”
Mr Hunt described Sue Gray, who is leading the inquiry, as a “very, very capable lady” who has to make a judgment on whether a minister has adhered to the ministerial code.