BREAKING: Senior civil servant claims Johnson knew about Chris Pincher

BREAKING: Senior civil servant claims Johnson knew about Chris Pincher

BREAKING: Senior civil servant claims Johnson knew about Chris Pincher. Image: Alexandros Michailidis/shutterstock.com

ACCORDING to a former top civil servant, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was spoken to personally about the Chris Pincher allegations back in 2019.

The former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, Lord Simon McDonald, has claimed that Boris Johnson knew about allegations against the former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher – who was suspended from the Conservative Party on Friday, July 1 after sexual misconduct allegations.

Mr McDonald claimed the Tory Party leader knew about the accusations and that Downing Street was lying about the events.

“I have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards – because No 10 keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth,” he said.

“They need to come clean. The language is ambiguous. It’s sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time.”

Despite being investigated back in 2019, Mr Pincher was working within the party up until last week when he was forced to resign following accusations that he had groped two men.

Since then further accusations of historical sexual misconduct have been brought to light. Mr Pincher denies all allegations.

However, Lord McDonald said that he and others had been “deceived” by Pincher and Johnson.

Mr Pincher “deceived me and others in 2019”, and “cannot be allowed to use the confidentiality of the process three years ago to pursue his predatory behaviour in other contexts,” he said.

Pincher was made deputy chief whip during a party reshuffle back in February, however, No10 denied claims that Boris knew about the allegations before giving the 52-year-old a promotion.

However, on Monday, July 4, Downing Street made a U-turn on that statement: “The Prime Minister was aware of media reports that others had seen over the years, and some allegations that were either resolved or did not progress to a formal complaint.”

“In the absence of a formal complaint it was not appropriate to stop an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations,” No10 said.

The former head of the Foreign Office said that there was a formal complaint: “The original No10 line is not true and the modification is still not accurate,” he said.

“Mr Johnson was briefed in person about the initiation and outcome of the investigation.

“There was a “formal complaint”. Allegations were “resolved” only in the sense that the investigation was completed; Mr Pincher was not exonerated.

“To characterise the allegations as “unsubstantiated” is therefore wrong.

“I am aware that is unusual to write to you and simultaneously publicise the letter.

“I am conscious of the duty owed to the target of an investigation but I act out of of my duty towards the victims.

“Mr Pincher deceived me and others in 2019.

“He cannot be allowed to use the confidentiality of the process three years ago to pursue his predatory behaviour In other contexts.”


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Written by

Matthew Roscoe

Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

Comments


    • M

      05 July 2022 • 19:38

      The UK Government appears to be coming apart at the seams with the Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid just announcing their resignation. We wait to see the final outcome of a Government riddled with one problem after the other. Most Governments even in the EU need changing for new blood and elections are the only way for people to achieve this by reflecting on how they have been dealt with over the last 2 1/2 years

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