Boris John made the “choice he thought was best” in appointing Chris Pincher to government and was “not aware of specific claims” about the Tory MP, a cabinet minister has insisted.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey also rejected the idea there was a “problem with Conservative men”, following a string of sexual misconduct scandals.
Meanwhile, Labour has moved to ramp up the pressure on the prime minister over the latest controversy, arguing the ruling party “repeatedly chooses to do what is politically expedient over what is right”.
Mr Pincher quit as Conservative deputy chief whip after he was accused of drunkenly groping two men at a private members’ club in London this week.
Politics latest: Sophy Ridge speaks to work and pensions minister Therese Coffey
Mr Johnson only bowed to demands to remove the whip from his ally, meaning he is now sitting in the Commons as an independent, after an official investigation was launched.
The prime minister has faced questions over how much he knew about Mr Pincher’s behaviour when he made him deputy chief whip in February.
Former adviser Dominic Cummings said Mr Johnson had referred to the MP “laughingly in No 10 as ‘Pincher by name, pincher by nature’ long before appointing him”.
Fresh allegations emerged about Mr Pincher’s behaviour as the Tamworth MP said he was seeking “professional medical support” and hopes to return to represent his constituents in Staffordshire “as soon as possible”.
Defending the appointment of Mr Pincher, Ms Coffey, “I think the prime minister made the choice he thought was best for the interests of the government in order the help get government business through.”
“I am aware that the prime minister was not aware of specific claims that had been made,” she added.
Analysis: PM shamed into disciplining close ally accused of groping
But shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Ridge: “I think we’ve got to…
Source : skynews
