Pincher stepped down from the role last week after he was accused of drunkenly groping two men at a private members’ club in London on Wednesday. The Tory whip was only removed from him on Friday afternoon – meaning he now sits as an independent MP. It was the second time the MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire has resigned as whip after Conservative candidate Alex Story accused him of making an improper advance in 2017. Politics Hub: Tory sleaze ‘infinitely worse’ since Major’s days But questions have been raised about what the prime minister knew before appointing Mr Pincher in February, with claims Johnson referred to the MP as “Pincher by name, biting by nature”. Labor leader Anneliese Dodds has written to the prime minister demanding answers, claiming Mr Johnson is “clearly happy to sweep sexual misconduct under the carpet to save his own skin”. Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley, Mr Quince said it was a “fair question” to ask what the prime minister knew and one he had put to Number 10 “firmly and clearly” before it went on air. He added: “I have been categorically assured that the Prime Minister was not aware of any serious specific allegations relating to the former deputy chief whip.” But Labour’s Jenny Chapman said she found it “impossible to believe” the prime minister was unaware of any allegations as there were “widespread rumours” about Mr Pincher’s behavior at Westminster. Image: Chris Pincher was appointed deputy chief in February but resigned last week after being accused of drunkenly groping two men “These things were well known,” he told Kay Burley. “What kind of person decides what we should do with this guy [is] give him a really big promotion? “That’s what Boris Johnson did. And he did it because he’s his partner and we think that’s wrong.” Read more: Pincher’s statement was contrite and defiant – but preventing a midterm election may be out of his hands Mr Quince said the allegations against Mr Pincher were “shocking and appalling” and caused “enormous damage to the reputation and trust in Parliament”. He also said it was important to “call out” such behaviour, urging other people affected to come forward and, “if the allegation is serious, I would of course encourage people to go to the police”. Mr Pincher is now under investigation by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievances System. He said he was seeking “professional medical support” and hoped to return to represent his constituents “as soon as possible”.
