Sex tape scandals

I guess what happens in the Carlton stays in the Carlton, because when the PM delivered a statement on his world tour of acronyms (Nato, CHOGM and the G7), Labour didn’t mention Chris Pincher once, and neither did the SNP. In fact, the Chamber was half empty. Perhaps the opposition thought “MP gropes voters” is less a scandal , more a job description – or maybe they didn’t want to sully a Ukraine speech with gossip. But it’s extraordinary that in an institution of 650 members, many of them willing to deport their own mother for publicity, not one of them raised old Pinchy. Then again, I can’t think of a single MP who has, in the House, called for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate – and with Keir Starmer suddenly backing Brexit, debate feels dead. So, unleash the clods of war! “I take a real interest in the size of our army,” said the venerable Barry Sheerman, who complained that, like Toblerones, it’s getting smaller every year. He reminded the House that his father fought in … [Read more...] about It seems not even a sex scandal can force this opposition into a debate

Where do they think it’s going to end, all this? What do they, by which I mean all of the other members of the government, think is going to be the outcome for them? Johnson is finished, they must know that. And yet, on they all go, day after day, week after week, publicly humiliating themselves in defence of a man who they must surely know would never, ever do the same for them, and from whom no good, now, is ever going to come? Dominic Raab does not come across as a man who, in his private moments, has an especially deep reservoir of Zen-like calm to call upon. What is he saying to himself, to his friends? What are the voices in his head shouting at him when he gets to the end of yet another agonising humiliation on the TV channels and radio stations, doing his level best to style out the absurd lies of a man who, he must surely know by now, is not telling him the truth? Even by Raab’s incomparably low standards, Tuesday morning’s efforts were off-the-scale … [Read more...] about Clearly, we’ve expected too much of Boris Johnson on the Chris Pincher scandal

Rishi Sunak has quit as Chancellor and Sajid Javid has resigned as health secretary as Boris Johnson's leadership faced a fresh crisis following the Chris Pincher scandal. Mr Sunak said "the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously", adding "I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning." In an incendiary letter, Mr Javid said the British people "expect integrity from their government" but voters now believed Mr Johnson's administration was neither competent nor "acting in the national interest". Mr Johnson had tonight admitted "it was a mistake" to give Mr Pincher his job as deputy chief whip and said: "I apologise for it". Mr Sunak and Mr Javid's resignations come after Downing Street was accused of lying over the Chris Pincher scandal this morning, as Lord McDonald said Mr Johnson was briefed "in person" about concerns relating to the then Foreign Office minister. The publication of the … [Read more...] about Tuesday evening UK news briefing: Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign from the Cabinet

Boris Johnson will face questions from the powerful Liaison Committee on Wednesday in the wake of another scandal. A few hours after what could be a bruising Prime Minister's Questions, the PM is set to be quizzed on a range of topics, including "integrity in politics", the rule of law, and Ukraine and its impacts on the UK, the rising cost of living and the government's response. MPs on the committee, who are chairs of Commons committees, will likely ask him about the appointment of Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip after he quit last week and was then suspended from the party. Partygate is also likely to crop up. Boris Johnson 'exposed' by explosive letter on Pincher scandal - Politics live Advertisement Mr Pincher admitted he "drank far too much" last week and is now seeking professional medical help as he faces allegations of groping two men, including an MP. Mr Johnson was firstly criticised over his delay in suspending the … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson to face questions on ‘integrity in politics’ after MP groping claims and partygate