Tory deputy chief whip resigns

Oh dear. It looks like Pestminster 2.0 is rumbling on. On Thursday, Chris Pincher, the deputy chief whip quit after allegations were reported in the Sun. The newspaper reports that the MP, first elected for Tamworth in 2010, has written to Boris Johnson, claiming that: ‘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.’

The Sun adds that he was at the Carlton Club, home of Tory MPs for more than 100 years, and that he is now accused of having ‘assaulted two fellow guests’. In his resignation later to the Prime Minister, Pincher said:

I think the right thing to do in the circumstances is for me to resign as Deputy Chief Whip. I owe it to you and the people I’ve caused upset to, to do this. I want to assure you that you will continue to have my full support from the back benches, and I wish you all the best as you deal with aftershocks of Covid and the challenges of international inflation.

Pincher is said to not be at risk of losing the Tory whip because he has ‘done the right thing, admitted wrongdoing and fallen on his sword.’ Jolly good luck to him, then… It is the second time Pincher has been forced to quit government after misconduct allegations. Will he make another comeback?