Boris Johnson was made aware of a formal complaint about Chris Pincher's 'inappropriate behaviour' while he was a Foreign Office minister from 2019-20, according to reports. It is thought the Prime Minister knew about the issue, which triggered a disciplinary process into the MP's misconduct.
The news has now raised new questions about what Johnson was aware of before he appointed the MP to deputy chief whip. Downing Street confirmed on Monday that Mr Johnson knew of concerns about Mr Pincher’s conduct when he made him deputy chief whip in February.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said while he knew of claims that were “either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint”, it was not considered appropriate to block the appointment based on 'unsubstantiated allegations'. However the BBC later reported that Mr Johnson was made aware of a formal complaint about Mr Pincher’s 'inappropriate behaviour' while the MP was a minister in the Foreign Office from 2019-20.
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A Government spokesperson said: “There are robust procedures in place for any members of staff to raise allegations of misconduct. It is long-standing policy not to comment on any matters involving individual cases.”
But No 10 – and a succession of ministers – had previously stated that Johnson had not been aware of such 'specific allegations' against Mr Pincher. Mr Pincher plunged the Government into a new crisis when he quit last week over allegations he groped two men at a Conservative private members’ club.
Recently, Pincher has denied new allegations of inappropriate behaviour dating back years. During his time as Foreign Office minister, an official complaint was raised about him for 'inappropriate behaviour' - and a report later confirmed misconduct.
He had previously resigned from the whips office in 2017 over claims he made unwanted advances to a young activist, but was later reinstated after being cleared by an internal Conservative Party investigation. Over the weekend, further details emerged of further claims about alleged sexual advances to men – including two fellow Conservative MPs.
Mr Pincher has denied the allegations to the newspapers which carried them. However, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the Prime Minister had been aware of the 'speculation' there had been about Mr Pincher over a number of years when he made him deputy chief whip last February.
“I can’t get into too much detail but he did take advice on some of the allegations that had been made, but there was no formal complaint at that time and it was deemed not appropriate to stop an appointment simply because of unsubstantiated allegations,” the spokesman said.
“He was aware that there had been reports and speculation over the years with regards to this individual, but there were no specific allegation. There was no formal complaint at that time.”
The spokesman declined to comment on a claim by Mr Johnson’s former chief adviser Dominic Cummings that the Prime Minister had referred to the MP as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature” however they added the alleged behaviour by Mr Pincher fell 'well below' the standards expected in Government.
“The Prime Minister will always seek to appoint the most appropriate people to the role. Clearly he must balance someone’s skills and experience against things like allegations in some instances and unsubstantiated rumours,” the spokesman said.
“Clearly we wouldn’t want or expect to see anyone working in government behave in the manners alleged. Any sexual harassment is well below what we would expect to see.”
Although Mr Pincher quit his government position on Thursday evening, Mr Johnson has faced criticism that it was not until 5pm that he finally had the whip withdrawn and was expelled from the parliamentary Conservative Party. Mr Pincher now faces an investigation by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme after one of the men he allegedly groped last week at the Carlton Club submitted a formal complaint.
In a statement at the weekend, the Tamworth MP – who now sits as an independent – said he would co-operate fully with the inquiry. “As I told the Prime Minister, I drank far too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others, and I am truly sorry for the upset I caused,” he said.
“The stresses of the last few days, coming on top of those over the last several months, have made me accept that I will benefit from professional medical support. I am in the process of seeking that now, and I hope to be able to return to my constituency duties as soon as possible.”
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