WHIP LASHED
No10 under pressure to AXE shamed Chris Pincher as Tory MP after he resigned from government following ‘groping’ claims
TORY chiefs were today facing mounting demands to axe shamed MP Chris Pincher following claims that he drunkenly groped two men.
Downing St is currently allowing Mr Pincher to stay in the party despite him quitting as deputy chief whip in disgrace last night.
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The Sun rocked Westminster yesterday with allegations of the close PM ally's seedy behaviour in the swanky Carlton Club on Wednesday evening.
In a resignation letter to Boris Johnson he said he "drank far too much" and "embarrassed myself".
Despite the claims No10 have not withdrawn the Tory whip meaning Mr Pincher can stay on as a Tory MP.
A groundswell of anger erupted this morning and could now see the MP for Tamworth suspended from the parliamentary party.
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Even Cabinet Minister Simon Hart suggested Pincher might not last the day as a Tory MP.
He said: "I've got my own private views, but it's not my decision, I think and I know what I’d like to see happen - you can probably tell what that is based on the way I'm trying to avoid answering your question."
The Welsh Secretary added: "Let's let today play out, let the chief whip do his duty today, and then I think we might be having a very different conversation as the day goes on."
Mr Johnson and Pincher have swapped texts but No10 are refusing to disclose an details of what was said.
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The PM is also not writing back to the ex-minister as is customary following a Government resignation.
Downing St insisted the PM was "not aware of any specific allegations" facing Pincher when he appointed him in February.
Labour frontbencher Yvette Cooper called for Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris to strip him of the whip.
She said: "I think that's the first step that needs to take place. And I think the idea that the Conservatives can try and simply dismiss this is just unacceptable."
Mr Heaton-Harris has refused to remove the whip from the anonymous Tory MP currently being investigated for rape.
Pincher, 52 — the MP for Tamworth, Staffs — is alleged to have groped two fellow guests at the Carlton Club in London’s Piccadilly.
Several Tory MPs complained to the whips’ office about his behaviour.