Inside Politics: Jet lag

Boris Johnson facing fresh scandal as deputy chief whip resigns over drunken groping allegations, writes Matt Mathers

(PA)

It never rains but it pours. Boris Johnson is facing yet another major headache this morning with the resignation of his deputy chief whip, who has been accused of groping two men while drunk at a private members club. Elsewhere, Downing Street is working on plans to cut VAT in a bid to ease the cost of living burden on struggling British households.

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Sleaze

Boris Johnson is only just back from abroad and already he has been plunged into yet another crisis following the resignation of his deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who sensationally quit last night following reports that he groped two men while drinking at a private members club for Tories in London on Wednesday.

Pincher, promoted to the whips’ office for his work during Operation Save Big, put out a resignation letter last night in which he admitted that he had drunk “far too much” and “embarrassed myself and other people”. But he did not address the sexual harassment claims, first reported by The Sun.

The development is a major headache for the prime minister, who has spent the past few days swooning with other world leaders at the G7 and Nato summits, where he announced another £1 billion for Ukraine’s war effort and pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade.

Johnson now has another senior position in his top team to fill after Oliver Dowden, the Tory Pary chairman, walked out following the hugely damaging byelection defeats in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton. He will likely face further calls for a mini-reshuffle, which he is said to be reluctant to carry out.

Johnson will also undoubtedly face major, major questions about his judgement in appointing Pincher - the MP for Tamworth - to the role, given that he was forced to resign over similar allegations in 2017. There have been continuing concerns about Pincher’s behaviour ever since then reports this morning say.

Whips are supposed to be in charge of discipline and upholding standards within their respective parties. For the deputy chief whip to have quit over sexual harassment claims in the current climate of Westminster sleaze is incredibly damaging - especially given that it was only weeks ago that said Wakefield byelection took place, triggered by the resignation of Imran Ahmad Khan, jailed for sexually assaulting a 15 year old boy.

Labour is demanding a full inquiry and calling for the whip to have the whip removed and for Pincher stand down from his seat. Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, says the latest scandal shows once again that the Tories are “mired in sleaze”. “This latest episode shows how far standards in public life have been degraded on Boris Johnson’s watch,” she said. “Boris Johnson has serious questions about why Chris Pincher was given this role in the first place and how he can remain a Conservative MP.”

Following its win in Wakefield, Labour senses another opportunity to inflict maximum damage on No 10. Of course, the calls for another byelection are at least in part politically motivated. Tory sources are this morning saying that Pincher has shown remorse and will therefore not face any further action. But it would be incredible if these allegations are proven to be true and Pincher was allowed to continue, given the current climate.

The case of Pincher – a friend and ally of Johnson’s – now looks set to dominate the agenda this weekend in another difficult week for the PM and his party.

(PA)

VAT cuts

Downing Street is working on plans to cut VAT in a bid to ease the cost of living burden on struggling British households, it is reported.

No 10’s chief of staff Steve Barclay had suggested the temporary reduction in the 20 per cent rate of tax in the hope of easing tax bills for millions and blunting the spiralling rate of inflation.

It comes after modelling from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the rate of inflation in the UK, at 9.1 per cent, had reached its highest point since at least February 1982.

But the plans – which would see VAT cut to 17.5 per cent – have reportedly stirred up controversy within the Treasury, due to fears it could overstimulate the economy and stoke the already raging rate of inflation.

The Times reports that Mr Barclay, the MP for North East Cambridgeshire, first raised the idea of VAT cuts in talks with the Treasury in the past two weeks, during which he referred to the move as “de-inflationary”.

On the record

“Last night I drank far too much. I’ve embarrassed myself and other people which is the last thing I want to do and for that I apologise to you and to those concerned.”

Pincher’s resignation letter.

From the Twitterati

“Mr Pincher’s letter is opaque and No 10 indicating that as CP has resigned that is the end of the matter. That feels unlikely - will doubtless be calls for more information and, likely, an inquiry.”

BBC Newsnight policy editor Lewis Goodall.

Essential reading

• Sean O’Grady, The Independent: Should we still listen to Tony Blair on how to rejuvenate politics?
• James Moore, The Independent: Raab’s opera slur towards Angela Rayner is a perfect example of Tory snobbery
• James Forsyth, The Times: The Met won’t improve while Patel is in charge
• Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic: The reason Liz Cheney is narrating the January 6 story

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