The former head of the Foreign Office’s civil service has stated that No. 10 lied when it claimed the prime minister was unaware of formal complaints about Chris Pincher’s behavior.
Simon McDonald stated that the Prime Minister had been briefed on an investigation into former Foreign Office minister John Pincher.
When asked if this was accurate, the foreign secretary at the time, Dominic Raab, responded, “I had no idea.”
Last week, Mr. Pincher was suspended as a Conservative representative.
In light of allegations that he inappropriately touched two men at the Carlton Club, a private members’ club in London, he is currently serving as an independent MP for Tamworth. He claims to be seeking medical assistance and has denied misconduct.
On Monday, Downing Street stated that Mr. Johnson was unaware of any specific allegations against Mr. Pincher when he appointed him deputy chief whip in February. Mr. Pincher was charged with enforcing discipline among Conservative MPs.
In his most stinging line, Lord McDonald compared Downing Street’s statements to “telling the truth while crossing your fingers and hoping that subsequent questioning will not be too forensic.”
This results in ministers being sent out with lines that disintegrate within hours of being spoken aloud, which is not only humiliating for the ministers concerned but also toxic for trust in the party’s leadership and the nation as a whole.
And simmering beneath the surface, growing exasperation within the Conservative Party, from the Cabinet on down, at No. 10’s inability to focus on government business rather than constantly fighting crises about the prime minister’s ability, to tell the truth.
Before the last 10 days, senior ministers believed Boris Johnson would lead them into the next general election. However, they are now uncertain.
Even the most ardent supporters are worn down by what they perceive to be Downing Street’s persistent pursuit of goals that are difficult, if not impossible, to defend.
Lord McDonald, the Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant from 2015 to 2020, stated that a group of officials “complained to me about Mr. Pincher’s behavior” in the summer of 2019.
“The allegations were substantively similar to those made about his conduct at the Carlton Club.”
According to him, an investigation substantiated the complaint, and “Mr. Pincher apologized and pledged not to repeat the inappropriate behavior.”
“Mr. Johnson was briefed in person on the investigation’s initiation and conclusion,” he added.
Mr. Raab stated that “I have discussed this with the prime minister over the past 24 hours, but I do not believe he was directly briefed.”
“Regarding the 2019 allegation or complaint, there was inappropriate conduct, but it did not trigger disciplinary action,” he said.
He stated that he informed the chief whip, who at the time was Mark Spencer, but not the prime minister, of the investigation.
When asked if someone else had informed Mr. Johnson, Mr. Raab responded, “That is news to me,” adding, “It is unclear to me whether that is accurate.”
Lord McDonald defended his claim shortly thereafter on the same program, stating, “I know that the senior official briefed the prime minister in person because that official told me at the time.
Such ministerial complaints are extremely rare, highly sensitive, and dealt with at the highest level; therefore, the Cabinet Office assisted and supported me throughout the investigation.
He stated that Downing Street needed to “come clean” and added, “No. 10 has had five full days to correct the story, but they have yet to do so.”
Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, stated, “It is now evident that the prime minister was aware of the gravity of these complaints, yet chose to promote this man to a senior position in the government.” He refused to take action and then lied about his knowledge.”
Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated, “Lord McDonald has shed new light on this murky cover-up. Boris Johnson must finally admit his web of lies and come clean today.”
The Speaker of the House of Commons has granted Labor’s request for an urgent question in Parliament, meaning that MPs will be able to question a minister about the matter at 12:30 BST.
