Boris Johnson threatened to block funding from backbenchers’ constituencies unless they voted ‘the right way’ as he battles to keep his job, MPs have reportedly claimed.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant, chairman of the Commons Standards Committee said such behaviour should be investigated by the police.
Boris Johnson is battling to save his job amid widespread fury over lockdown parties in Downing Street.
Read more: Boris Johnson denies lying about Downing Street garden party in lockdown
Labour MP Mr Bryant said he has spoken to “about a dozen” Conservative MPs in recent days who have been threatened by Tory whips either with having funding withdrawn from their constituencies or promised funding if they vote “the right way”, reported The Mirror.
“I have even heard MPs alleging that the Prime Minister himself has been doing this,” Mr Bryant said.
“What I have said to all of those people is that that is misconduct in public office. The people who should be dealing with such allegations are the police.”
Mr Bryant added: “It is illegal. We are meant to operate as MPs without fear or favour. The allocation of taxpayer funding to constituencies should be according to need, not according to the need to keep the Prime Minister in his job.
“The levelling up funds that have been introduced in the last two years are an open opportunity for Government ministers to corruptly hand out money to some MPs and not to others.”
William Wragg, the Tory MP who first accused No 10 of using “blackmail” against rebel MPs attempting to oust Boris, disclosed that he is meeting police to discuss his allegations.
William Wragg said he will be meeting a Scotland Yard detective in the House of Commons early next week, raising the prospect police could open an investigation.
A No 10 spokesman said it would only open an inquiry if it was presented with evidence to back up Mr Wragg’s assertions.
The Prime Minister has been warned that alleged threats to cut off constituency cash from Tory rebels may be unlawful.
The Good Law Project has sent a pre-action letter to Boris Johnson over claims that MPs have been threatened with losing constituency funding if they don’t vote as they are told.
Lawyers said the allegations “may amount to misconduct in public office” in a letter to the PM, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay and Chief Whip Mark Spencer.
The letter also demands details of any complaints made by MPs about the alleged threats, and for the Government to confirm they are investigating the allegations.
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