The minister cannot imagine the prime minister saying “Pincher by name, pincher by nature.”
Boris Johnson “was aware” of previous allegations of sexual misconduct against Chris Pincher when he promoted him to deputy director, Downing Street has admitted.
The prime minister’s spokesman also did not deny that Johnson used the phrase “Pincher by name, Pincher by nature” against the suspended MP who is now being investigated for alleged palpitations.
The spokesman described the statement on the use of the phrase by the prime minister, made by his former political aide in chief Dominic Cummings, as “unfounded”, the spokesman said: “I will simply not comment on the content of what is said or not in private. conversations.
By issuing a new call to Mr. Johnson to waive questions about his criteria in appointing Mr Pincher, senior Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale warned that the Conservative Party “cannot continue like this”, adding: “There must be a change in the part superior. ”
Mr Pincher, who received a number of other allegations of misconduct over the weekend, previously resigned from the whips office in 2017 amid claims he made appropriate approval of a Conservative Party candidate.
Key points
Show the latest update 1656935949
Boris Johnson “knew” the allegations of sexual misconduct against Chris Pincher, admits the number 10
Our Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick has this update:
Boris Johnson was “aware” of previous allegations of sexual misconduct against Chris Pincher when he promoted him this year, the number 10 has admitted.
The prime minister’s spokesman also did not deny using the phrase “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” against the former deputy whip in chief, who resigned and is now being investigated for alleged palpitations.
Last week, No. 10 insisted Johnson was unaware of any specific charges against the deputy, but his story has changed, deepening the latest scandal to engulf Mr. Johnson.
The spokesman acknowledged that “he was aware of media reports” and “complaints that were resolved or did not reach a formal complaint,” when Mr. Pincher was appointed in February.
However, he continued to insist that – in the absence of any formal complaint against him – it would not have been “appropriate” to block him from a role of responsibility for the welfare of deputies.
Andy Gregory July 4, 2022 12:59 PM
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Opinion: tax the childless? There is a dark side to this debate
Surely no one takes responsibility for paternity just for tax exemptions? If they do, I doubt they were very good parents, writes Sean O’Grady.
Read Sean’s full piece here:
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 12:45 p.m.
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The daycare plan will not “significantly” reduce parents ’costs, the minister admits
The Boris Johnson government has been accused of offering only “pathetic” changes to childcare in an attempt to reduce costs for parents and increase availability.
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest tells the story:
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 12:30 p.m.
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Pincher’s allegations do “great damage” to confidence in parliament
The allegations against Chris Pincher do “great damage” to confidence in parliament, a government minister has said.
Will Quince, the Minister of Children and Families, spoke earlier on Sky News.
Mr Pincher resigned as deputy director last week after being accused of playing two drunken men at a private Tory club in central London.
He now faces a number of other allegations of misconduct, all of which he denies. Quince described the allegations as “horrible”:
Chris Pincher’s accusations do “great damage” to confidence in parliament, the Conservative minister says
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 12:15 p.m.
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Neil Parish: The woman chased me with scissors after the porn revelation
Neil Parish says his wife chased him around the kitchen with scissors after it was revealed he was watching porn in front of female companions in the House of Commons.
The former MP, who was forced to resign as a Tiverton and Honiton MP, said his wife “knows I’m not an angel.
Watch part of her interview with ITV’s Lorraine below:
Neil Parish says his wife chased him around the kitchen with scissors after watching porn in common
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 11:59 AM
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Holyrood and Westminster must cooperate
Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar called for “cooperation and not conflict” to be put at the heart of the government as he unveiled the first of a series of documents on reform in Scotland and the UK.
In a speech presented by the Fabian Society in Westminster, he called for “a legal duty to cooperate” between the governments of Holyrood and Westminster, new joint governing councils and a new Senate of Nations and Regions to replace the House of Lords.
He said: “The political game of recent years has hurt the broadcast agreement.
“We need these new rules of engagement to cure it.”
The new governing councils “would unite the leaders of the United Kingdom and the nations on equal terms,” he said.
On the House of Lords, he said it was “unacceptable” to have unelected representatives exercising that power and called for something “that would better reflect modern Britain” and give Scotland a greater voice.
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 11:29 AM
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The prime minister cannot act on “rumors or gossip,” the minister says
Boris Johnson cannot “act on rumors or gossip” when appointing people to government positions, said junior minister Will Quince, reports Adam Forrest, our policy correspondent.
The prime minister is under increasing pressure to reveal what he knew about the allegations about Chris Pincher before he was appointed deputy director in February.
“If he had a pound for every rumor he had heard of another MP, he would be a very rich man,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 11:17 AM
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ICYMI: Chris Pincher scandal reinforces Tory rebel plot to oust Boris Johnson
Conservative rebels have said Boris Johnson’s handling of allegations that MP Chris Pincher palpated two men has made him more likely to face a new vote of confidence in the coming months.
Our policy correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 11:04 AM
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No one deserves special treatment, says the former minister
Former cabinet minister Liam Fox has said “no one deserves special treatment” or that they should be “piloted” because they are friends of the prime minister, after reports questioned whether Boris Johnson was aware of allegations of Chris Pincher’s behavior. sexually inappropriate before. appointing him deputy director of milk.
When asked about Mr. Pincher’s appointment, the former defense secretary told Times Radio, “Well, over the weekend, I’ve seen a lot of sense -‘ sources close to someone close to say ’- you know , I think we need to be above the nonsense and gossip in Westminster.
“All I would say is that no one deserves special treatment because he is a friend of the prime minister and no one deserves to be cheated just because he is a friend of the prime minister. We cannot make our policy work by proxy. that way “.
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 10:42 AM
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“We can’t go on like this”
Conservatives “can’t go on like this” and require urgent change “on top,” an exasperated senior MP said.
Sir Roger Gale, who has already sent a letter of censure to Boris Johnson, previously spoke to the BBC about the Prime Minister’s handling of complaints against MP Chris Pincher, who left the post of deputy director last week after of having been accused of touching two drunken men.
More comments from Mr. Gale below:
Matt Mathers July 4, 2022 10:22 AM