Tory trade minister Conor Burns was sacked by Prime Minister Liz Truss last night following a complaint of 'serious misconduct'.
When the MP for Bournemouth West accused the government of rushing to judgment as he vowed to clear his name on Twitter, it prompted a cryptic dig from Spice Girls' star Mel B who reported she was in a lift at the Tory party conference when he allegedly made comments to her.
The singer, who had been at Tory conference to campaign for domestic abuse survivors, replied: "Really?? Your shocked about this complaint??? Let me remind you what you said me in lift….. (sic)"
The Prime Minister sacked Conor Burns from his post in the Department for International Trade on Friday following a complaint of 'serious misconduct', as No 10 insisted 'high standards of behaviour' must be maintained.
But the MP – who has also had the Tory whip suspended – accused the party of rushing to judgment, as he vowed to clear his name.
It is understood a third party made a complaint to Tory whips about Conor Burns’ behaviour towards a man at the party conference in Birmingham earlier this week, according to the Mirror.
Singer Mel B had also attended the conference in Birmingham, campaigning for specialist support systems for domestic abuse victims.
A Whips' Office spokesman said: "We have suspended the whip pending investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour earlier this week.
"We take all such allegations extremely seriously. The Prime Minister has been clear that the highest standards in public life must be upheld."
Following the news, Mr Burns shared his reaction in a string of tweets which read: "Earlier I received a call from the Chief Whip Wendy Morton. Ms Morton informed me that a complaint had been received about me and she had passed it to Conservative Campaign Headquarters to investigate.
"I was not given any information about the complaint nor was I asked to provide any information. On the basis of this complaint Ms Morton told me that the Whip was being withdrawn and that I was standing down as Trade Minister. I will fully cooperate with the Party's enquiry and look forward to clearing my name.
"I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their enquiry as they were to rush to judgement."
A source told the Mirror: "Mel has never been scared to speak the truth to power so it is no surprise that she’s spoken up. If this Tory MP has said something particularly offensive in her company then she’ll say so and no doubt told him when it happened.
"Mel is such a strong woman. It could be yet another really embarrassing episode for the Tories. You don’t p**s off a Spice Girl!”
The M.E.N. and Mirror have contacted Conor Burns for comment.
The news comes after a No10 spokeswoman said: "Following a complaint of serious misconduct, the Prime Minister has asked Conor Burns MP to leave the government with immediate effect.
"The Prime Minister took direct action on being informed of this allegation and is clear that all ministers should maintain the high standards of behaviour – as the public rightly expects."
The development is the latest in a series of scandals to hit the Conservative Party, including groping allegations against former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.
In May, former Tory MP Neil Parish quit his seat in Tiverton and Honiton after admitting to watching pornography in the Commons.
Just short of two weeks later, an unnamed Conservative MP was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years.
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