Boris Johnson warned of ‘groper’ allegations

Boris Johnson was aware before he became PM in 2019 of allegations against Chris Pincher and vetoed him from a job in his first cabinet, The Times has been told.

The Houses of Parliament in London. Picture: AFP

Boris Johnson was aware before he became Prime Minister in 2019 of allegations against Chris Pincher and vetoed him from a job in his first cabinet after being warned about his reputation, The Times has been told.

Sources involved in talks about the make-up of the British leader’s first government said he had been “well aware” of Mr Pincher’s alleged inappropriate behaviour and used to joke that he had “cornered the market” in sex-pest MPs supporting his leadership.

Mr Pincher was made deputy chief whip in February but ­resigned last Thursday after ­allegedly groping two men at a Tory members’ club.

A source involved in Mr Johnson’s leadership campaign said he had discussed making Mr Pincher chief whip before deciding it was too much of a risk.

Downing Street admitted on Monday that Mr Johnson was aware of “reports and speculation” about the behaviour of Mr Pincher in February when he appointed him as deputy chief whip, but the new claims suggest the Prime Minister was aware of allegations about Mr Pincher much earlier.

The Times