Chris Pincher MP is facing a suspension from the House of Commons for eight weeks after a report into groping claims against him.
Mr Pincher, who no longer sits as a Conservative, quit as deputy chief whip last summer after being accused of assaulting two guests at the exclusive Carlton Club in London.
The 53-year-old’s actions eventually led to the downfall of Boris Johnson, after it emerged the then prime minister was aware of an investigation into Mr Pincher’s conduct three years before, yet still appointed him to a role involving MPs’ welfare.
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The parliamentary watchdog launched its investigation in October, looking at whether Mr Pincher’s actions caused “significant damage to the reputation of the House” – a breach of the members’ code.
In its conclusions, released this morning, it said his conduct had been “completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power”.
And it said his actions would “significantly impact public perception of the House and its members”.
As a result, the watchdog recommended an eight-week suspension, triggering a recall petition in Mr Pincher’s Tamworth constituency – if 10% of voters sign it, a by-election is called.
He would still be allowed to stand, but has confirmed he already plans to step down at the next election.
The report will now be sent to the Commons for MPs to approve, but it is not clear when a vote will be held after Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt failed to set the date during business questions this morning.
Her opposite number in Labour, Thangam Debbonaire, said she was “very concerned” by the lack of timetable from the government.
MP says sorry again
In a statement after the report was released, Mr Pincher said: “I apologise sincerely again for my behaviour at the Carlton Club last year, as I did the day I resigned from the government.
“I have sought professional medical help, which is ongoing and has been beneficial to me, for which I am grateful.
“I am truly grateful for the kindness that I have received from my constituents, family and friends.
“I only saw the report at 8am this morning so I want to read it carefully and reflect on it properly.
“I do not intend to comment further at this time.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is already facing three by-elections on 20 July after Mr Johnson, Nigel Adams and David Warburton announced their resignations from parliament last month.
A fourth is also expected for former culture secretary Nadine Dorries’ seat, as she has promised to resign over the treatment of Mr Johnson by the Privileges Committee – which found the ex-PM had lied to parliament over partygate.
However, she hasn’t officially stepped down yet.
Labour’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, said Mr Pincher should “do the decent thing” and resign as an MP immediately, adding: “The people of Tamworth and the surrounding villages deserve more from their Parliamentary representative.”
Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the PM had often spoken about the importance of “integrity”, but any sanction was “a matter for the House”.
It emerged after the incidents that Boris Johnson had been told about Chris Pincher’s behaviour three years before, but still hired him as deputy chief whip
Groping allegations in detail
The report from the Committee on Standards, following an investigation by parliament’s Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, detailed the accusations levelled at Mr Pincher on the night of 29 June, when he was invited to speak at the Carlton Club for an event hosted by the Conservative Friends of Cyprus.
The first complainant said he had never met the MP before, but recognised him, as well as knowing some of his staff members.
At around midnight, Mr Pincher approached the House of Lords employee in the bar and grabbed his forearm, “holding it for longer than necessary, which made him feel uncomfortable, leading him to remove Mr Pincher’s arm”.
The report said the MP “went on to stroke his neck” and the complainant again removed his hand, but after a short interval, Mr Pincher returned and “squeezed the complainant’s bottom”.
It added: “The complainant describes the incident as having been traumatic and having impacted his wellbeing.”
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A second complainant – a civil servant – said he was introduced to Mr Pincher, who then bought the group a round of drinks.
“Following a break in the conversation, Mr Pincher moved away from the group, then returned and touched the witness’s bottom before moving his hand to touch and squeeze the witness’s testicles, which lasted for a few seconds,” the report added.
“The witness told the Commissioner that this incident affected his health and wellbeing and caused him concern for his future work prospects.”
Two witnesses – both serving MPs – also spoke to the investigation, describing Mr Pincher as “smashed”, and said they had reported the incidents to the chief whip.
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What the report into Chris Pincher has found
Report condemns ‘shocking’ behaviour
Mr Pincher told the investigation that he did not remember the events that took place that evening, but apologised to all parties involved.
However, he claimed he had returned to the club after the event in a personal capacity and denied his behaviour had caused significant damage to the reputation of the House and its members.
And he also claimed there were “inconsistencies, anomalies and gaps in the evidence” which he argued “don’t present a complete picture”.
But the standards commissioner, Mr Greenberg, concluded Mr Pincher had breached paragraph 17 of the 2019 Code of Conduct for Members, adding: “The damage that has been caused to the reputation and integrity of the House and its members cannot be described as trivial, unnoteworthy, or not important to address. The damage is significant.
“It involves behaviour that by any standards was shocking, deeply inappropriate, and adversely impacted two unsuspecting individuals who had no expectation that they would be subjected to such behaviour.
“Further, it was conduct that risks advancing a misplaced public perception that members of parliament do not have to abide by normal standards of behaviour and can commit acts of misconduct with impunity.”
The committee accepted his findings and recommended the eight-week suspension.
Johnson’s downfall sparked by Pincher scandal
The day after the incidents occurred, Mr Pincher resigned from his post as deputy chief whip, but Mr Johnson resisted pressure from his own MPs to suspend him from the party, leading to accusations he wasn’t taking the matter seriously enough.
He eventually did remove the Tory whip from Mr Pincher and apologised for his part in the scandal, and for the fact he knew about previous allegations around the MP’s behaviour before appointing him.
But within minutes, both Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid quit the cabinet, and a wave of ministers followed, with the government collapsing in their wake.
And within days, Mr Johnson reluctantly resigned from office.
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Boris Johnson’s resignation speech
Labour’s Ms Rayner used today’s findings to launch a wider attack on the Conservatives, saying: “Chris Pincher’s actions are shocking. But what’s even worse, is the way the Conservative party protected him – even promoting him despite a previous investigation into his conduct.
“The British people deserve so much better than 13 years of Tory chaos and sleaze.
“Rishi Sunak has been too weak to act against Chris Pincher because he’s too weak to lead a Conservative Party which is too divided to govern the country. And it is working people who are paying the price with a cost of living crisis.”
The Liberal Democrats’ chief whip, Wendy Chamberlain, also attacked the ruling party, saying: “Chris Pincher adds his name to the long list of disgraced former Conservatives caught up in sleaze and scandal.
“After missing so many vital votes in parliament [specifically the Privileges Committee vote on Mr Johnson], Rishi Sunak must finally show some backbone and confirm he will vote to suspend Chris Pincher.
“Sunak promised to govern with integrity, he must vote with it.”
