The former deputy city council manager at the center of the controversy that led to Boris Johnson’s downfall is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog.
Chris Pincher, who dramatically quit his government role on June 30 after allegedly assaulting two fellow guests at London’s exclusive Carlton Club that evening, is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
Kathryn Stone opened the inquiry on October 20, citing “actions that caused significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its members generally.”
Pincher was the Tory MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire but now sits as an independent in the Commons after the Tory whip was removed after a formal complaint was made to the parliamentary watchdog that looks into allegations of bullying , harassment or sexual misconduct.
According to reports, the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme (ICGS) withdrew the complaint because the alleged incident did not take place on the Parliament Estate.
Ms Stone, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, is responsible for alleged breaches of the Commons code of conduct.
The row over the allegations against Mr Pincher ultimately led to a row that helped end Johnson’s prime ministership, after his handling of the scandal unleashed a wave of mounting frustration with his leadership, already damaged by the block parties in Downing Street and for… election defeats.
