Focusing in particular on Johnson’s decision earlier this year to promote Chris Pincher as deputy leader despite a known record of sexually predatory behaviour, Starmer said Tory MPs who still supported Johnson had “not an ounce of integrity”. In an often brutal performance at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Labor leader mocked ministers still serving in government, such as Nadhim Zahawi, the newly promoted chancellor, who sat next to Johnson at the Tory front table. “What a pathetic sight,” Starmer said after Johnson accused him of poor policy decisions. “The dying act of his political career is to parrot this nonsense. As for those who are left – only in office because no one else is willing to lower themselves anymore. The charge of the light brigade. Have some self respect. For a week he had them defend his decision to promote a sexual predator. Every day the lines he forced them to follow were untrue.” Johnson, facing what was always likely to be an extremely difficult PMQs given the widespread expectation that he could be ousted soon after a series of ministerial resignations, insisted he would stay in office. Johnson, however, again apologized for prompting Pincher to whip the deputy leader in February, after Pincher had apologized for alleged fondling in a previous cabinet role in 2019. Starmer began the session by reading the words of a man who said he “froze” while being petted by Pincher. “I accept that it is not easy to listen. But it’s a reminder to everyone who supports this prime minister how serious the situation is,” Starmer said. “He knew the accused minister had previously engaged in predatory behavior but promoted him to a position of power anyway – why?” Johnson said he regretted the promotion, adding: “Once I was made aware of the allegations he just read, the complaint that was made, he lost his status as a Conservative MP.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am The prime minister, however, refused to deny that he had referred to his former colleague as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” when questioned by Starmer. The Labor leader has repeatedly sought to highlight the role of Tory MPs in backing Johnson despite a series of previous scandals, including lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street. “He’s only in power because he’s been supported for months by a corrupt party that defends the indefensible,” Starmer said. “Anyone who has anything about them would have been long gone from their stall. In the midst of a crisis, the country deserves nothing better than a Z-list of beckoning dogs.”
