William Wragg has resigned as vice chairman of the 1922 Committee following the fallout of a sexting scam.
As well as stepping down from his role on the 1922 Committee, he quit his positions on the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).
The news comes after Wragg admitted that he’s shared the numbers of his colleagues with someone on a dating app, over fears intimate images of himself would be leaked.
It forms part of a wider “honeytrap” scam that appeared to target at least 12 other men in political circles with unsolicited texts.
He later apologised for his “weakness” before stepping down from his committee roles.
The Tory committee that Wragg was previously part of has played a key role in the party’s increasingly troubled tenure. For example, the 1922 committee was integral at the end of Boris Johnson’s leadership, overseeing his vote of no confidence in June 2022.
Here’s a look at what the committee is and the background of its chairman.
What is the 1922 Committee?
More commonly known as the 1922 Committee, the Conservative Private Members’ Committee is the parliamentary group of the Tory Party in the House of Commons. The term ‘men in suits’ is also often used to refer to the group more casually, particularly after the resignation of Margaret Thatcher.
It was actually formed in 1923 but the MPs were elected in 1922, hence the alternative name.
While Parliament is in session, the group meets once a week, comprising elected Conservative backbenchers who discuss their views independently of frontbenchers and ministers.
While frontbenchers have been allowed to attend meetings since 2010, they cannot vote for its officers and elected committee.
The committee is responsible for reporting the views of Tory MPs to the party leader but also plays a key role in choosing the party leader. As noted above, the group is also in charge of overseeing votes of no confidence.
If 15 per cent of sitting Conservative MPs send letters to the committee, equating to 54 MPs of the 360 in January 2022, it triggers a vote of no confidence, announced by the Chair of the group.
Who is Sir Graham Brady?
All letters of no confidence are addressed to the chairperson of the 1922 Committee, who is currently Sir Graham Brady.
Having served as an MP for Altrincham and Sale West since 1997, Sir Graham has also been chairman of the committee since 2010, overseeing votes of no confidence against both Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
In the past, Sir Graham opposed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, citing concerns that it could infringe on religious freedoms. He was also a Leave supporter in the Brexit campaign of 2016 and spoke out against Covid-19 lockdowns during the pandemic.
Following Wragg’s resignation, the 18-member committee will now be one person short. It’s unclear who will step into Wragg’s role as vice chairman.
