Speaking on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey also dismissed the idea that there was a “problem with Tory men”, following a series of sexual misconduct scandals. Meanwhile, Labor has moved to increase pressure on the prime minister over the latest row, arguing the ruling party “repeatedly chooses to do what is politically expedient over what is right”. Mr Pincher resigned as deputy Conservative leader after he was accused of drunkenly groping two men at a private members’ club in London this week. Politics latest: Minister insists it is ‘not true’ there is a problem with male Tory MPs Mr Johnson only bowed to demands that his ally be stripped of the whip, meaning he will now sit in the Commons as an independent after an official inquiry was launched. The prime minister faced questions about how much he knew about Mr Pincher’s behavior when he made him deputy leader in February. Former councilor Dominic Cummings said Mr Johnson had referred to the MP “laughingly in No 10 as a ‘Pincher by name, prickly by nature’ long before he appointed him”. Fresh allegations emerged about Mr Pincher’s behavior as the Tamworth MP said he was seeking “professional medical support” and hoped to return to represent his constituents in Staffordshire “as soon as possible”. Defending Mr Pincher’s appointment, Ms Coffey said: “I think the Prime Minister made the choice that he believed was in the best interests of the government to help move the government forward. “I know the prime minister was not aware of specific allegations that had been made,” he added. Analysis: PM shamed into disciplining close ally accused of coddling Asked if there was a problem with male Tory MPs after a series of controversies, Ms Coffey said: “I don’t think that’s the case at all.” On culture at Westminster, he said: “We have to be professional. “There are various situations that occur where people have been unprofessional and unpleasant and that needs to be addressed. “I’m very much in favor of dealing with these things firmly. “We have to continue to try and encourage people to come forward and go to the police to believe a crime has been committed. “No one in this regard should feel that they have some protection that they don’t have. “We must continue to strive to ensure that we have the highest standards of behaviour, particularly at the Palace of Westminster.” But shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Ridge: “I think we have to recognize what the consistent problem is, and that is a Conservative Party that repeatedly chooses to do what is politically expedient over what is right. “It is clear from what we know this morning that Chris Pincher should never be allowed back into the whip’s office.” Reynolds recalled former Labor MPs accused of sexual harassment telling him his party was not “clean”. He replied: “As well as shadow business secretary, I’m on the national executive of the Labor Party – I have the humility to know, yes, we have problems, I’m often the person who has to respond and deal with them. “But I can tell you what we don’t have is what I see in the Conservative Party, which is the repeated decision to make the wrong decision if it’s in the short-term interest they perceive they have.”
