Chris Pincher loses Tory whip over misconduct allegations
GuardianJul 01, 2022
Boris Johnson is tackling a rapid loss of Conservative Party support after the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, resigned on Tuesday. Several MPs have also announced they're quitting, along with Children and Families Minister Will Quince and a swathe of parliamentary private secretaries, among others.
The PM has faced mounting pressure in recent days, after it emerged that he was briefed on sexual misconduct allegations against Tory MP Chris Pincher in 2019, before he appointed him as deputy chief whip.
Johnson is finally facing the consequences for his self-serving, illicit, obfuscating conduct, and his willingness to misled colleagues and the nation at large. The resignation of Javid and, especially Sunak, mark the end of a dire premiership: Johnson's time is up.
The PM is fighting for his political life against mutinous Tory MPs. But the mandate issued to Johnson, who retains the support of key cabinet members including Liz Truss and Michael Gove, through the confidence vote will keep him safe for another year. Sunak's resignation may even benefit the PM by enabling him to pursue a truly conservative fiscal policy.
Sexual misconduct offenses are not unique to the Conservative party; there have been a plethora of such cases stemming from various political parties. The Commons is notorious for its scandals and misconduct, and this latest event only highlights a wider problem that many have now nicknamed "Pestminster."