Boris Johnson “was aware” of earlier allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to Chris Pincher when he promoted him this 12 months, No 10 has admitted.
The prime minister’s spokesman additionally didn’t deny he used the phrase “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” in opposition to the previous deputy chief whip – who stop and is now being investigated for alleged groping.
Last week, No 10 insisted Mr Johnson was unaware of any particular allegations in opposition to the MP – however its story has shifted, deepening the most recent scandal to engulf Mr Johnson.
The spokesman acknowledged he “was aware of media reports” and of “allegations that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint”, when Mr Pincher was appointed in February.
However, he continued to insist that – within the absence of any formal grievance in opposition to him – it could not have been “appropriate” to dam promotion to a task with duty for MPs’ welfare.
The spokesman was additionally unable to say what efforts had been made to ascertain if allegations may very well be substantiated – and indicated Mr Pincher was not requested about them straight.
He additionally stated No 10 has no plan to analyze the method that led to his appointment, amid stories that Downing Street was particularly warned in opposition to it.
Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s former chief aide, has alleged that the prime minister referred to the previous deputy chief whip as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” lengthy earlier than the appointment in February.
But the spokesman stated: “I’m simply not going to comment on content of what was or wasn’t said in private conversations” – revealing he had not requested Mr Johnson if the declare is true.
Mr Pincher was stripped of the Conservative whip after he was accused of drunkenly groping two males at a Conservative personal members’ membership in London, final Wednesday.
But he stays underneath strain to resign as an MP – and is going through the potential of a police investigation, after a number of alleged victims of earlier assaults got here ahead.
An investigation is underway by parliament’s impartial complaints service, which No 10 ought to proceed moderately than any inquiry by Downing Street into warnings apparently not heeded.
Asked what recommendation was sought in regards to the swirling allegations, the spokesman stated it could have come from each political colleagues and the civil service.
“It was deemed not appropriate to stop an appointment simply because of unsubstantiated allegations,” he stated.
The spokesman stated: “The prime minister was aware of media reports that others had seen over the years and some allegations that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint.”
Asked if he regretted appointing Mr Pincher, he stated solely: “Clearly, we wouldn’t want anyone working in the government to behave in the manner as he is alleged to have done so. That is not the behaviour that you’d want to see in any walk of life.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk