Boris Johnson must clarify exactly “who knew what and when” over the allegations against suspended MP Chris Pincher, Labor has said. Tamworth MP Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on Thursday after he was accused of drunkenly groping at a private Tory members’ club in London the night before. He was kicked out of the party on Friday. The prime minister is under pressure to explain why he appointed Mr Pincher to the role despite him resigning over a similar charge, which he denies, in 2017. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman told BBC Breakfast on Monday morning. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher,” he added. Elsewhere, Mr Johnson and the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, have promised what they call “the biggest tax cut in a decade” of up to £6 billion to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Basic points
Show latest update 1656923551
The minister did not ask No 10 about Cummings’ claims before the broadcast
Will Quince admitted that, before appearing in the media on Monday morning, he had not asked Downing Street about Dominic Cummings’ claims that Boris Johnson had referred to Chris Pincher as “Pincher by name, Pincher by nature ». The former No 10 adviser claimed the Prime Minister had referred to the MP in this way long before he appointed him in February. The Children’s Secretary also denied on ITV’s Good Morning Britain that Downing Street’s handling of the allegations was sending a bad message to young people under his portfolio. He said any kind of unacceptable behavior should be reported to the police and the relevant authorities. Matt Mathers 4 July 2022 09:32 1656921862
Assignment: Tell us “who knew what and when” about Pincher’s claims
Boris Johnson must clarify exactly “who knew what and when” over the allegations against suspended MP Chris Pincher, Labor has said. Tamworth MP Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on Thursday after he was accused of drunkenly groping at a private Tory members’ club in London the night before. He was kicked out of the party on Friday. The prime minister is under pressure to explain why he appointed Mr Pincher to the role despite him resigning over a similar charge, which he denies, in 2017. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman told BBC Breakfast on Monday morning. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher,” he added. Matt Mathers 4 July 2022 09:04 1656920750
Quince denies junior ministers have been deployed to defend the prime minister
Will Quince also denied reports that junior ministers are being sent on air to defend the prime minister over the controversy, rather than reluctant cabinet ministers. He said: “I’m certainly not going to defend the former deputy leader’s whip. “The allegations are incredibly serious and I am appalled by them. But that’s not the case today because I was booked four days ago, actually five days ago I think it was, to talk about a very important childcare announcement.’ He said the allegations were “indefensible”. Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:45 1656918950
Asked if the allegations against Chris Pincher were serious enough for the police to get involved if any incidents were reported to them, Will Quince said: “I think that’s a matter for the police. “I think the key thing is that we create an environment where everybody feels that if they’re witnessing or if they’re a victim of sexual assault or predatory behavior of this nature according to these allegations, that they feel they can go to the police and the authorities because that’s exactly what they can let the investigations follow and the due process take its course.” The junior minister also declined to say whether his party colleague would have to step down if the allegations against him were proven. He said: “This is a matter for parliament and we have clear processes and procedures around recall.” Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:15 1656918050
“You can’t act on hearsay”
Junior minister Will Quince was asked on Sky News why the prime minister gave former deputy leader Chris Pincher the job in the first place. The Tory MP insisted Boris Johnson was not aware of specific allegations against Mr Pincher and said he had spoken to No 10 to seek reassurances on the matter. “I have been categorically assured that the prime minister was not aware of any serious specific allegations regarding the former deputy chief whip,” he said. He continued: “I think these cases are difficult because, like any professional organization, you cannot act on hearsay or gossip. As you know, there is a lot of rumor or gossip in Westminster. “This is also why it is so important that when people witness something that is clearly appalling, well below standard behaviour, we should rightly expect members of parliament and those who work on parliamentary property to report it, and we encourage everyone to present themselves whether it is the police or the parliamentary authorities, so measures can be taken as was done in this case”. Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:00 1656917148
Labour: ‘Irresponsible’ Tory response to Brexit issues
Baroness Jenny Chapman has denied that Labor has plans to “choose” Brexit. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer will vow later today that he will not bring the UK back into the single market or restore freedom of movement as he sets out his plan to “make Brexit work”. He will use a speech to say a government he leads will not join a customs union with the EU to preserve the hard Brexit deal brokered by Boris Johnson. “I think that would be the last thing the country wants to see,” the Labor politician told BBC Breakfast. “We’ve had so much division since 2016. I think the last thing Keir Starmer certainly wants to do is revisit any of that. “But we believe that the Conservatives, because they have this way of dealing with problems, which is about if we need to create a fight to gather some political support within our party, we will. “They’re taking that approach to issues like Northern Ireland and we think that’s irresponsible and we want to see those issues resolved.” Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 07:45 1656916248
“We want to know who knew what”
Labor said Boris Johnson still has questions to answer over the Chris Pincher row. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman, shadow secretary of state at the Cabinet Office, told BBC Breakfast. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher.” Katy Clifton July 4, 2022 7:30 am 1656915120
The new “bill of rights” exempts the government from protecting free speech
A new “bill of rights” exempts the government itself from having to comply with new free speech protections, legal experts have warned. Justice Minister Dominic Raab said last week that the new charter would prevent free speech from being “eroded” by “wilderness and political correctness”. However, clauses in the bill specifically exempt laws made by ministers from the new free speech test, meaning it will not protect people from “various threats to free speech posed by the government”. . Alisha Rahaman SarkarJuly 4, 2022 07:12 1656914222
Chris Pincher ‘seeks medical attention’
Chris Pincher, the former deputy chief who resigned after being accused of groping two men, said he was seeking “professional medical support”. In a statement he said: “I respect the Prime Minister’s decision to suspend the whip while an investigation is carried out and I will co-operate fully with him. “As I told the Prime Minister, I drank too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others, and I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused. “The stresses of the last few days, on top of those of the last few months, have made me accept that I would benefit from professional medical support. “I am in the process of looking into it now and hope to be able to return to my constituency duties as soon as possible.” Alisha Rahaman SarkarJuly 4, 2022 06:57 1656913725
The Tory MP claims he was groped twice by Chris Pincher
A Conservative MP has claimed he was applauded on two occasions by Chris Pincher, who was expelled from the party on Friday following allegations of sexual misconduct. Speaking exclusively to The Independent on condition of anonymity, the man claims he was targeted twice by Mr Pincher, first in December 2021 and again last month. One alleged assault took place on the parliamentary estate in June when the man claims Mr Pincher deliberately touched his genitals through his clothes and refused to remove his hand when asked. “He put his hand on my crotch and moved it,” the deputy said. “I shook my head and said no, I don’t want that, but him [Mr Pincher] just smile…keep going until I managed to pull away.” Alisha Rahaman SarkarJuly 4, 2022 06:48
title: “Chris Pincher Latest Boris Johnson Must Reveal Who Knew What Over Tory Mp S Claims " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-04” author: “Eva Fitzgerald”
Boris Johnson must clarify exactly “who knew what and when” over the allegations against suspended MP Chris Pincher, Labor has said. Tamworth MP Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on Thursday after he was accused of drunkenly groping at a private Tory members’ club in London the night before. He was kicked out of the party on Friday. The prime minister is under pressure to explain why he appointed Mr Pincher to the role despite him resigning over a similar charge, which he denies, in 2017. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman told BBC Breakfast on Monday morning. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher,” he added. Elsewhere, Mr Johnson and the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, have promised what they call “the biggest tax cut in a decade” of up to £6 billion to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Basic points
Show latest update 1656924326
Boris Johnson ‘failed to act’ on sexual misconduct allegations, Tory staff say
Tory parliamentary staff have criticized Boris Johnson for a “failure to act” on sexual harassment allegations, as the Prime Minister faces growing calls to explain what he knew about the allegations against Chris Pincher. Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports: Matt Mathers 4 July 2022 09:45 1656923551
The minister did not ask No 10 about Cummings’ claims before the broadcast
Will Quince admitted that, before appearing in the media on Monday morning, he had not asked Downing Street about Dominic Cummings’ claims that Boris Johnson had referred to Chris Pincher as “Pincher by name, Pincher by nature ». The former No 10 adviser claimed the Prime Minister had referred to the MP in this way long before he appointed him in February. The Children’s Secretary also denied on ITV’s Good Morning Britain that Downing Street’s handling of the allegations was sending a bad message to young people under his portfolio. He said any kind of unacceptable behavior should be reported to the police and the relevant authorities. Matt Mathers 4 July 2022 09:32 1656921862
Assignment: Tell us “who knew what and when” about Pincher’s claims
Boris Johnson must clarify exactly “who knew what and when” over the allegations against suspended MP Chris Pincher, Labor has said. Tamworth MP Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on Thursday after he was accused of drunkenly groping at a private Tory members’ club in London the night before. He was kicked out of the party on Friday. The prime minister is under pressure to explain why he appointed Mr Pincher to the role despite him resigning over a similar charge, which he denies, in 2017. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman told BBC Breakfast on Monday morning. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher,” he added. Matt Mathers 4 July 2022 09:04 1656920750
Quince denies junior ministers have been deployed to defend the prime minister
Will Quince also denied reports that junior ministers are being sent on air to defend the prime minister over the controversy, rather than reluctant cabinet ministers. He said: “I’m certainly not going to defend the former deputy leader’s whip. “The allegations are incredibly serious and I am appalled by them. But that’s not the case today because I was booked four days ago, actually five days ago I think it was, to talk about a very important childcare announcement.’ He said the allegations were “indefensible”. Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:45 1656918950
Asked if the allegations against Chris Pincher were serious enough for the police to get involved if any incidents were reported to them, Will Quince said: “I think that’s a matter for the police. “I think the key thing is that we create an environment where everybody feels that if they’re witnessing or if they’re a victim of sexual assault or predatory behavior of this nature according to these allegations, that they feel they can go to the police and the authorities because that’s exactly what they can let the investigations follow and the due process take its course.” The junior minister also declined to say whether his party colleague would have to step down if the allegations against him were proven. He said: “This is a matter for parliament and we have clear processes and procedures around recall.” Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:15 1656918050
“You can’t act on hearsay”
Junior minister Will Quince was asked on Sky News why the prime minister gave former deputy leader Chris Pincher the job in the first place. The Tory MP insisted Boris Johnson was not aware of specific allegations against Mr Pincher and said he had spoken to No 10 to seek reassurances on the matter. “I have been categorically assured that the prime minister was not aware of any serious specific allegations regarding the former deputy chief whip,” he said. He continued: “I think these cases are difficult because, like any professional organization, you cannot act on hearsay or gossip. As you know, there is a lot of rumor or gossip in Westminster. “This is also why it is so important that when people witness something that is clearly appalling, well below standard behaviour, we should rightly expect members of parliament and those who work on parliamentary property to report it, and we encourage everyone to present themselves whether it is the police or the parliamentary authorities, so measures can be taken as was done in this case”. Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 08:00 1656917148
Labour: ‘Irresponsible’ Tory response to Brexit issues
Baroness Jenny Chapman has denied that Labor has plans to “choose” Brexit. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer will vow later today that he will not bring the UK back into the single market or restore freedom of movement as he sets out his plan to “make Brexit work”. He will use a speech to say a government he leads will not join a customs union with the EU to preserve the hard Brexit deal brokered by Boris Johnson. “I think that would be the last thing the country wants to see,” the Labor politician told BBC Breakfast. “We’ve had so much division since 2016. I think the last thing Keir Starmer certainly wants to do is revisit any of that. “But we believe that the Conservatives, because they have this way of dealing with problems, which is about if we need to create a fight to gather some political support within our party, we will. “They’re taking that approach to issues like Northern Ireland and we think that’s irresponsible and we want to see those issues resolved.” Katy Clifton 4 July 2022 07:45 1656916248
“We want to know who knew what”
Labor said Boris Johnson still has questions to answer over the Chris Pincher row. “We want to know who knew what, when and why these decisions were made the way they were,” Baroness Jenny Chapman, shadow secretary of state at the Cabinet Office, told BBC Breakfast. “I don’t think anyone in Westminster believes that Boris Johnson didn’t know about the allegations about Mr Pincher.” Katy Clifton July 4, 2022 7:30 am 1656915120
The new “bill of rights” exempts the government from protecting free speech
A new “bill of rights” exempts the government itself from having to comply with new free speech protections, legal experts have warned. Justice Minister Dominic Raab said last week that the new charter would prevent free speech from being “eroded” by “wilderness and political correctness”. However, clauses in the bill specifically exempt laws made by ministers from the new free speech test, meaning it will not protect people from “various threats to free speech posed by the government”. . Alisha Rahaman SarkarJuly 4, 2022 07:12 1656914222
Chris Pincher ‘seeks medical attention’
Chris Pincher, the former deputy chief who resigned after being accused of groping two men, said he was seeking “professional medical support”. In a statement he said: “I respect the Prime Minister’s decision to suspend the whip while an investigation is carried out and I will co-operate fully with him. “As I told the Prime Minister, I drank too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others, and I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused. “The stresses of the last few days, on top of those of the last few months, have made me accept that I would benefit from professional medical support. “I am in the process of looking into it now and hope to be able to return to my constituency duties as soon as possible.” Alisha Rahaman SarkarJuly 4, 2022 06:57
