July 2019
Pincher was brought back into government by Boris Johnson after a spell in office, becoming foreign secretary and then housing secretary.
February 2022
Pincher was made deputy chief whip by Johnson. The Sunday Times reports that a male Tory MP informed the whip’s office at the time that Pincher had made an unwanted pass at him. Pincher denied any wrongdoing. Conservative MPs also said they had informed their whips of general concerns about Pincher’s behaviour. The announcement of his promotion was delayed by a referral to the cabinet’s fitness and ethics unit to investigate an allegation about Pincher that had been reported to whips.
June 29, 2022
Pincher attended an event for the Conservative Friends of Cyprus at the Carlton Club in Piccadilly. He was accused by two men of drunkenly fondling them and had to be put in a taxi home. One of them told another whip, Sarah Dines, who reported the matter to chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris.
June 30, 2022
Heaton-Harris investigated the incident and Pincher tendered his resignation. The Sun reported in the evening that he had resigned as deputy chief whip and Pincher published a letter saying he had been drunk and embarrassed. Johnson refused to suspend him from the party, saying the matter was closed.
July 1, 2022
No 10’s deputy official spokesman insisted the prime minister was unaware of any allegations against Pincher at the time of his promotion in February. He later corrected himself to say that Johnson was not aware of any “specific” allegations against Pincher. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST
July 3, 2022
At least four more allegations against Pincher emerged in Sunday’s papers, including allegations that he abused two Tory MPs. Pincher denied the charges. A source in the whips’ office confirmed that an “issue” had indeed been raised with them in relation to Pincher at the time of his appointment as deputy chief whip.
July 4, 2022
No 10 acknowledges that Johnson was personally aware of the allegations against Pincher at the time of his promotion. However, his spokesman insisted that at the time those allegations had “either been resolved or not proceeded with a formal complaint”. No 10 also declined to comment on a claim by former No 10 aide Dominic Cummings that Johnson had referred to his ally as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature”. A charity fundraiser, Mark Dabbs, made an allegation about Pincher, telling the Sun the MP had patted his back while they posed for a picture together. Pincher has yet to respond to the allegations.
