A member of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, responsible for the parliamentary discipline of Conservative MPs, resigned after accusations of touching two men, new political torment for the leader already weakened by scandals.
In a letter of resignation dated Thursday, Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher admitted to having “too much to drink” and apologized for “shaming (him) and others”.
A private London club
According to several British media, the 52-year-old Conservative elected official touched two men, including an MP, in a private club in central London, the Carlton Club, on Wednesday evening, resulting in complaints to the Conservative Party.
Although he resigned as deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher remains an MP, which sparked calls for his exclusion from the party and an internal investigation.
“It is out of the question for the Conservatives to ignore a possible sexual assault,” tweeted Angela Rayner, number 2 of the Labor Party, the main opposition formation.
A first case in 2017
Appointed in February, Chris Pincher had already resigned as “junior whip” in 2017, accused of having made sexual advances to an Olympic athlete and potential Conservative candidate for election.
An unnamed MP suspected of rape was arrested and later released on bail in mid-May, another resigned in April for watching pornography in the House on his mobile phone in April, and a former MP was convicted in May to 18 months in prison for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy.
Boris Johnson’s government has also been rocked by scandals like Downing Street parties despite anti-Covid restrictions. He has already paid dearly for these cases at the polls, the Conservatives having been sharply beaten in two by-elections in June.