Tory MP Conor Burns has been sacked from the government and had the whip removed following allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.
The MP for Bournemouth West, who has held the seat since 2010, has said he will “fully co-operate” with the probe and looks forward to clearing his name.
In a statement posted on social media, Mr Burns said he had not been given “any information” about the complaint when he was informed the party would be investigating.
He tweeted: “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“On the basis of this complaint Ms Morton told me that the whip was being withdrawn and that I was standing down as trade minister.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 (inquiry) and look forward to clearing my name.
“I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their (inquiry) as they were to rush to judgment.”
3/3 I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their enquiry as they were to rush to judgement.
— Conor Burns (@ConorBurnsUK) October 7, 2022
The Sun reported that the complaint relates to alleged serious misconduct at the Tory party conference in Birmingham.
Mr Burns was appointed minister of state in the Department for International Trade in last month’s reshuffle, after Liz Truss took the reins in No 10.
He was previously a minister in the Northern Ireland Office, and had been a staunch ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson.
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.”
Moments later, a Number 10 spokesperson 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.”
Government minister Victoria Prentis said the allegations were “obviously concerning”, but she had been assured the matter was being taken “very seriously”.
“I think all I can say is that the Prime Minister has taken decisive action, and we’ll make sure that this is properly investigated,” she told Times Radio.
“In terms of politics as a whole it’s always worrying because we all expect and hope to maintain the highest standards in public life.”
The development is the latest in a series of controversies to rock 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 House of Commons.
Then, just under two weeks later, an unnamed Conservative MP was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years.
It comes just days after the Conservatives finished their annual conference in Birmingham on Wednesday.
