Boris Johnson was “not conscious” of any “particular” allegations about Chris Pincher when he appointed him deputy chief whip, No.10 has mentioned.
Pincher resigned from his authorities submit sustaining self-discipline amongst Conservative MPs on Thursday night.
He has been accused of sexually assaulting two male friends on the Carlton Membership – a Tory Occasion personal members’ membership in London’s Piccadilly, however has been allowed to proceed to take a seat as a Conservative MP.
Pincher mentioned he had “embarrassed myself and different individuals” after having had “far an excessive amount of” to drink.
In accordance with Politico, Johnson was made conscious of allegations about Pincher’s previous behaviour earlier than appointing him deputy chief whip on the final reshuffle in February.
However No.10 disputed the account. “The prime minister was not conscious of any particular allegations earlier than the appointment,” the PM’s spokesperson mentioned on Friday.
“There was no foundation to cease the appointment within the absence of any formal grievance.”
The spokesperson mentioned Pincher couldn’t be blocked from being given a job on the idea of “unsubstantiated allegations”.
It’s the second time Pincher has give up the whips workplace. He resigned as a junior whip in November 2017 following a grievance that he made an undesirable cross on the former Olympic rower and Conservative candidate Alex Story.
In his resignation letter to the prime minister yesterday, Pincher apologised for his behaviour, saying it had been “the honour of my life” to have served within the Authorities.
“Final night time I drank far an excessive amount of. I’ve embarrassed myself and different individuals which is the very last thing I wish to do and for that I apologise to you and to these involved,” he mentioned.
“I believe the best factor to do within the circumstances is for me to resign as deputy chief whip. I owe it to you and the individuals I’ve brought about upset to, to do that.
“I wish to guarantee you that you’ll proceed to have my full help from the again benches. It has been the honour of my life to have served in Her Majesty’s Authorities.”
The spokesperson mentioned Johnson and Pincher had “exchanged messages” over the resignation however wouldn’t reveal what was mentioned.
