A Bristol MP has slammed Boris Johnson after making the former Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, the new Leader of the House of Commons in his reshuffle today.
Thangam Debbonaire, MP for Bristol West and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, says that it is "completely inappropriate" for a man accused of "grotesque racism" to be appointed the Leader of the House.
She added that it shows that the government has a "complete disregard for standards in politics".
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In the wake of a disastrous three months for Boris Johnson where he was forced into a humiliating u-turn over the suspension of an MP accused of lobbying, was accused of allowing multiple parties during lockdowns in Downing Street and suffered numerous resignations of key aides, the prime minister has done a mini reshuffle of his top team.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset and until today, Leader of the House, was given a new role as Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, while the former Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, was moved into the role of Leader of the House.
Just over two weeks ago, Nus Ghani, the Conservative MP for Wealden in East Sussex, accused Mark Spencer of telling her that her “Muslimness was raised as an issue” at a meeting in Downing Street and that her “Muslim woman minister status was making colleagues feel uncomfortable”.
Mr Spencer faces an investigation into those allegations, he has denies all wrongdoing. But that is not where his troubles end.
Another Conservative MP, William Wragg, also accused Mr Spence and his Whips of "blackmailing" MPs into not ousting Boris Johnson by threatening to withdraw funding to ket projects in their constituencies, such as schools and hospitals.
Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Leader of the House, says that his appointment is "completely inappropriate".
She told Bristol Live: “It is completely inappropriate for the Prime Minister to appoint, as Leader of the House of Commons, a man who faces an ongoing investigation into grotesque racism, and who has been publicly accused of blackmail and threatening to withdraw investments for schools and hospitals unless MPs toe the line.
"This is just the latest in a long line of appointments that demonstrates this government’s complete disregard for standards in politics."
Meanwhile, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, slammed Boris Johnson for being distracted by job appointments rather than the major crises facing the British people: "Today, the Labour Party frontbench was in Parliament proposing measures to tackle food poverty caused by an inflation crisis created in Downing Street and supporting the mental health of our children and young people - vital topics affecting families across the country.
"What was Boris Johnson doing? Reshuffling the deckchairs when he's already hit an iceberg.
"Labour is committed to security, prosperity and respect for everyone. Boris Johnson is desperately trying to save his own skin."
Many have nicknamed today's reshuffle the "heshuffle" due to the lack of women promoted or moved as part of today's appointments.
Other jobs
- James Cleverly stays in the Foreign Office but becomes Minister for Europe instead of Minister for Middle East, North Africa and North America
- Luke Hall is made Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party.
- Wendy Morton is promoted from a junior minister to a Minister of State in the Transport Department.
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