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Johnson ‘refused to behave then lied about what he knew’, says Labour following newest Pincher revelation
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy chief, says that within the gentle of Simon McDonald’s letter it’s now apparent that Boris Johnson “refused to behave after which lied about what he knew”. In an announcement she says:
Boris Johnson’s determined makes an attempt to cowl up what he knew about sexual assault complaints towards Chris Pincher earlier than appointing him have been blown out the water.
It’s now clear that the prime minister knew in regards to the seriousness of those complaints however determined to advertise this man to a senior place in authorities anyway. He refused to behave after which lied about what he knew.
Boris Johnson is dragging British democracy via the muck. His appalling judgement has made Westminster a much less protected place to work.
Boris Johnson urged to ‘come clean with his net of lies’ after No 10 accused of not telling fact about Pincher
Good morning. One of many oldest cliches about political scandals is that it’s not the unique fault that brings you down, however the cover-up, and as Boris Johnson’s administration continues its Tory sleaze re-enactment pageant, it has supplied the proper illustration.
Final week Chris Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after reportedly drunkenly groping two males on the Carlton Membership. At Westminster many individuals had heard rumours that Pincher might have carried out comparable issues earlier than, and the incident instantly prompted questions as to why Boris Johnson appointed Pincher deputy chief whip within the February reshuffle within the first place.
No 10’s preliminary response final Friday was to say that Johnson was not conscious of any allegations about Pincher’s conduct when he appointed him to the publish (which gave him appreciable energy over Tory MPs, in addition to a pastoral responsibility to assist them). Over the past 4 days that line has now collapsed, to the purpose the place any affordable observer should conclude that Downing Road has been mendacity. My colleague Archie Bland has a complete account of how the No 10 story unravelled in his First Version briefing.
This morning Sir Simon McDonald, a former everlasting secretary on the International Workplace, has launched a duplicate of the letter he has despatched to the parliamentary commissioner for requirements, Kathryn Stone, offering but extra proof that No 10 has not been telling the reality. McDonald says in the summertime of 2019, quickly after Johnson promoted Pincher from the backbenches and made him a minister of state on the International Workplace, officers complained about Pincher’s groping-type behaviour. (McDonald doesn’t give particulars, however he says the allegations have been much like the Carlton Membership ones.) The criticism was upheld and Pincher apologised, McDonald says. And when Pincher left the International Workplace, employees didn’t hassle with a leaving do.
Crucially, McDonald says Johnson was informed about this on the time. McDonald says this reveals what No 10 has been saying about what Johnson knew about Pincher – even the modified line getting used yesterday – is unfaithful. McDonald writes:
The unique No 10 line isn’t true and the modification remains to be not correct. Mr Johnson was briefed in particular person in regards to the initiation and end result of the investigation. There was a “formal criticism”. Allegations have been “resolved” solely within the sense that the investigation was accomplished; Mr Pincher was not exonerated. To characterise the allegations as “unsubstantiated” is due to this fact improper.
McDonald doesn’t use the phrase “mendacity” in his letter, and he didn’t use it in his subsequent interview on the In the present day programme. However, when requested what No 10 wanted to do now, “cease mendacity” was successfully what he stated. He informed the programme:
I believe they should come clear. I believe that the language is ambiguous, the kind of telling the reality and crossing your fingers on the identical time and hoping that individuals are not too forensic of their subsequent questioning and I believe that isn’t working.
In response Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy chief, has stated Johnson must “come clean with his net of lies”. She stated:
Lord McDonald has shone a brand new gentle on this murky cover-up. Boris Johnson must come clean with his net of lies and at last come clear at this time. Day-after-day this carries on our politics will get dragged additional via the mud.
Right here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: Boris Johnson chairs cupboard.
11.30am: Downing Road holds a foyer briefing.
I attempt to monitor the feedback beneath the road (BTL) however it’s unimaginable to learn all of them. You probably have a direct query, do embody “Andrew” in it someplace and I’m extra more likely to discover it. I do attempt to reply questions, and if they’re of basic curiosity, I’ll publish the query and reply above the road (ATL), though I can’t promise to do that for everybody.
If you wish to appeal to my consideration rapidly, it’s most likely higher to make use of Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
Alternatively, you may e-mail me at andrew.sparrow@theguardian.com
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