Boris Johnson - live: PM rocked by double resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid

Boris Johnson’s Cabinet has begun to unravel amid anger over his handling of misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, with both Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak resigning.

Their departures come amid rising Tory fury at the scandal, after No 10 admitted Mr Johnson was aware when promoting Chris Pincher to a role in charge of MPs’ welfare that a misconduct complaint had been upheld against him.

Downing Street denied accusations from former Foreign Office permanent secretary Lord McDonald that it was “not telling the truth” when asked previously about the matter, instead insisting that Mr Johnson did not originally “recall” being told about the complaint against Mr Pincher.

Forcing an urgent question in the Commons, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner labelled the governemnt “paralysed by scandal” and claimed Mr Johnson was “either negligent or complicit”.

Multiple Tories expressed their discontent in the Commons, with the PM reported to be touring the Westminster tearooms in a bid to assuage their anger – to which senior MP Simon Hoare responded: “Been there. Done that ... It won’t wash any more.”

Key Points

• New: Rishi Sunak steps down as chancellor

• Breaking: Sajid Javid resigns from Cabinet

• Boris Johnson forgot misconduct complaint against Chris Pincher upheld, No 10 says

• Top civil servant accuses No 10 of lying over Pincher allegations

• Johnson was given ‘first-hand account’ of allegations against Pincher before promoting him

• Unions urge speaker to take action as they claim 'political parties cannot be trusted'

• Carrie Johnson openly questioned Chris Pincher's suitability as a government whip, report says

• No 10 reject Diane Abbott's claims about Johnson

‘Time to wheel the lectern out?’ asks Angela Rayner

18:24 , Andy Gregory

Labour’s deputy leader has asked whether it is time to wheel the No 10 lectern out.

‘It’s all over’ for Boris Johnson, minister says

18:22 , Andy Gregory

Here’s the damning verdict from one Cabinet minister on the double resignation, according to Sky News:

“Boris will have to go now. It doesn’t matter what the rest of us do. Once you lose your chancellor and health secretary it’s all over.”

Breaking: Rishi Sunak resigns as chancellor

18:17 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak has gone now too.

The chancellor said: “The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.

“I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”

Johnson expresses ‘regret’ over Pincher allegations response

18:11 , Andy Gregory

Dodging the question on whether he did say “Pincher by name, pincher by nature”, Boris Johnson said: “What I can tell you is that, if I look at the background of this and why I regret it so much, is that about three years ago there was a complaint made against Chris Pincher in the Foreign Office, the complaint was cleared up, he apologised.

“It was raised with me, orally, I was briefed on what had happened. If I had my time again I would think back on it and recognise that he wasn't going to learn a lesson and he wasn't going to change and I regret that.”

Breaking: Sajid Javid resigns as health secretary

18:06 , Andy Gregory

Sajid Javid has resigned from the Cabinet, saying he can “no longer continue in good conscience”.

Johnson dodges question on alleged ‘pincher by nature’ comment

18:04 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson has appeared to dodge a question on whether he once said: “Pincher by name, pincher by nature”.

Boris Johnson apologises for ‘mistake’ of promoting Chris Pincher

18:02 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson has apologised for the “mistake” of promoting Chris Pincher despite being made aware of an upheld misconduct complaint against him.

“I apologise to everyone who’s been badly affected by it and I just want to make absolutely clear that there’s no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or abuses their position of power,” the prime minister said.

‘How much more pain do we have to take’: Tory anger at Boris Johnson continues

17:34 , Andy Gregory

The Tory anger towards Boris Johnson appears to be spilling over from the Commons (see post at 17:07), with a number of MPs venting their discontent in the past hour on social media, to journalists, and to each other.

Responding to reports that the prime minister is “touring the tearooms” at Westminster in a bid to assuage their anger, senior Tory Simon Hoare said: “Been there. Done that ... It won’t wash any more.”

And Anthony Mangnall accused the PM of doing “appalling damage” to the party, government and country, adding: “It isn’t good enough and each day that passes those who sit in Cabinet will be more complicit with this farcical situation.”

Here are more from The Mirror’s political editor, who was told by one MP: “How much more pain do we have to take? It’s the first time I've seen so-called loyalists really pissed off.”

Boris Johnson ‘touring tea rooms’ ahead of ‘TV interview’

17:20 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson is rumoured to be planning a television appearance later, however the details remain oddly sparse, prompting speculation over the reason for the potential interview.

Political reporters from Sky News, the Daily Mirror and the Spectator are reporting that an interview with the PM is due to appear, although it remains unclear with whom.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson is claimed to be “touring tea rooms” in an attempt to assuage anger among his colleagues in the wake of No 10’s admission that the PM promoted Chris Pincher to the whips’ office despite having been told of an upheld misconduct complaint against him, which Downing Street claims he did not originally “recall”.

Men abusing men a ‘deliberately hidden scandal’ in Westminster, Labour MP says

17:10 , Andy Gregory

Men abusing other men is a “scandal” in Westminster that has been “overlooked” and “deliberately hidden”, the Commons has been told.

Labour MP Luke Pollard warned in some cases the “very highest people” have sought to “protect” others by “forgetting that things have happened”.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis claimed there is “no such culture” in parliament before encouraging any victims of abuse to come forward.

Senior Tories vent anger over PM’s handling of Pincher allegations

17:07 , Andy Gregory

Here are more details of the Tory discontent in the Commons in the wake of fresh revelations over Boris Johnson’s response to the misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, as minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Ellis fielded questions on the matter.

Former minister John Penrose asked Mr Ellis when he would finally say “enough is enough” and no longer defend the government, whilst the Tory chair of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, William Wragg, urged ministers to consider their position.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, chair of the liaison committee, demanded to know why those with “the wrong attitudes and the wrong behaviours” are promoted by their leaders, asking: “Isn’t that exactly what gives permission for the wrong attitudes and the wrong behaviours to persist?”

Meanwhile, Jackie Doyle-Price, a former minister and assistant government whip, insisted the whiff of rumours and historic incidents surrounding Mr Pincher should have been enough to tell the PM his appointment to the whips’ office was not “wise”.

She also called for a “complete reset of standards” and “a complete reboot of the Ministerial Code”.

Tory MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham asked why Mr Pincher was not “sacked at the time, never mind given another job”, if the allegations brought against him were “similar” to those made about “bad behaviour” at the Carlton club, as asserted in Lord McDonald’s letter (see post at 07:55).

Johnson now odds-on to quit this year, with Mordaunt ‘clear favourite’ to replace him, Betfair says

16:42 , Andy Gregory

The odds are now in favour of Boris Johnson quitting this year, with Penny Mordaunt emerging as the “clear favourite” to replace him, according to Betfair Exchange.

The prime minister has become odds-on with Betfair at 20/21 to quit in 2022, lengthening to 7/2 the following year, and 5/2 in 2024 or later.

Meanwhile, the former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt is the new clear favourite to be the next Conservative leader at 6/1 – soaring ahead of Jeremy Hunt, Ben Wallace and Liz Truss at 8/1.

Scottish independence referendum bill referred to Supreme Court

16:32 , Andy Gregory

Scotland’s chief law officer has referred Scottish Government legislation on holding another independence referendum to the Supreme Court.

Following an announcement by Nicola Sturgeon of plans to hold another vote on 19 October next year, Scotland’s first minister said Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC had agreed to ask the Supreme Court to opine on whether Holyrood had the necessary powers to hold such an indicative vote.

On Tuesday, an 18-page reference was submitted to the court, in which the Lord Advocate wrote: “The Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland and the wider United Kingdom ought to have clarity on the scope of the relevant reservations on this issue of fundamental constitutional importance.

“Being questions of law, only this court can provide that clarity and unless the issue is judicially resolved there will remain uncertainty and scope for argument about the powers of the Scottish Parliament. That is not in the best interests of the people of Scotland or of the United Kingdom.

“In these circumstances, the Lord Advocate has determined that it is appropriate for her to obtain a judicial determination from the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the Lord Advocate makes this reference, in exercise of her retained functions, under paragraph 34 of Schedule 6 of the Scotland Act.

“It is the first time this power has been exercised by the Lord Advocate. That is a measure of the fundamental importance of the issue and its exceptional nature.”

Ms Bain told the court that she would need to have a “necessary degree of confidence” – currently lacking – in the competence of the Scottish Parliament to legislate on a certain topic before a Bill could be introduced, and would need to clear a statement to that effect.

15:43 , Thomas Kingsley

Tory MPs lined up in the House of Commons to publicly condemn Boris Johnson's handling of the Chris Pincher affair, with senior figures urging ministers to consider their positions.

On Tuesday, Labour was granted an urgent question in Parliament to address the growing scandal over the past behaviour of Mr Pincher and what the prime minister knew about the allegations.

As Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis kept defending the appointment of the MP for Tamworth as deputy chief whip, it soon became clear that disquiet among Tory MPs is growing, with several venting their anger and frustration in the lower chamber.

Conservative former minister John Penrose asked Mr Ellis when he would finally say “enough is enough” and no longer defend the government, whilst the Conservative chairman of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, William Wragg, urged ministers to consider their position.

Chris Pincher: Who is the former deputy chief whip at the centre of Westminster’s latest sleaze scandal?

15:11 , Thomas Kingsley

-Boris Johnson’s government once again finds itself mired in scandal in the wake of the resignation of deputy chief whip Chris Pincher last week after he allegedly groped two colleagues at a social event while drunk.

The 52-year-old MP, who has represented Tamworth in Staffordshire since 2010, was the subject of two complaints over his conduct at a 30th anniversary reception for the Conservative Friends of Cyprus at the Carlton Club, a historic private members club.

Read the full story below:

Who is Chris Pincher and what are the allegations against him?

Watch: Boris Johnson was briefed in person about Chris Pincher allegations, Lord McDonald says

14:45 , Thomas Kingsley

14:32 , Thomas Kingsley

Labour's Jess Phillips (Birmingham Yardley) challenged Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis to say whether the MP for Tamworth (Chris Pincher) “would have been able to get” a job if she had been deciding about appointments.

She said: “There's always something that is meant to be for the standards for the public, that a minister stands there and leans on to try and get out of - basically telling untruths to public, allowing sycophancy rather than morality to be the reason why people are given their jobs.

“My final question to the minister is, if it had been me giving out those jobs, does he think the MP for Tamworth (Chris Pincher) would have been able to get one?”

Responding, Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis said: “I would expect (her) perhaps more than she would expect of me, and by that I mean, that I would expect her to act fairly. So I hope that answers her question. If she was in that position of responsibility to make decisions about appointments I would expect her to act fairly, full stop.”

Ministers should ‘consider positions’ in government after Pincher response, Tory MP suggests

14:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Ministers should “consider their positions” in Boris Johnson’s government amid mounting anger over No 10’s response to misconduct complaints against Christopher Pincher, a Tory MP has suggested.

The remarks from William Wragg came just minutes after minister Michael Ellis admitted the prime minister was “made aware” in late 2019 of concerns relating to Mr Pincher – then a minister at the Foreign Office.

Prompting laughter in the Commons, the Cabinet Office minister, however, insisted Mr Johnson did not “immediately recall” the exchange when fresh allegations emerged about Mr Pincher’s conduct last week.

Read the full story below:

Ministers should ‘consider positions’ in Boris Johnson’s government, Tory MP suggests

Boris Johnson needs to show ‘honesty and accuracy,’ former head of Civil Service says

14:00 , Thomas Kingsley

The former head of the Civil Service has called for “honesty and accuracy” from Boris Johnson over Chris Pincher's appointment as deputy chief whip and said there is a pattern of Number 10 trying to “mislead and confuse stories”.

Lord Kerslake told Radio 4's World at One programme: “There must be a complete openness and transparency from No 10 and the prime minister.

“We do need to understand why action was taken to appoint Chris Pincher to be a deputy chief whip, a role that is, after all, about the wellbeing of MPs as much as anything.

“Why was that appointment made and, if needs be, an apology”.

The cross-bench peer also said it is “inconceivable” that those around the prime minister were unaware of sexual misconduct claims.

“I cannot believe that they weren't aware of previous allegations and indeed substantiated allegations," he said, adding that No 10's handling of the story in recent days demonstrates a "pattern of constantly trying to mislead, confuse stories and not come clean when the issue arises”.

Zelensky holds talks with Boris Johnson amid Pincher row

13:43 , Thomas Kingsley

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he has held further talks with Boris Johnson about the latest situation in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky tweeted: “Thanked (Mr Johnson) for the unwavering support of - the recent decision to provide £1 billion in security aid and today's - £100 million.

“Talked about food security for the world and security guarantees for Ukraine.”

Minister also admits Boris Johnson knew Chris Pincher complaint was upheld

13:24 , Andy Gregory

Speaking in the Commons shortly after No 10 admitted that Boris Johnson knew that a complaint against Chris Pincher had been upheld, paymaster general Michael Ellis said the same.

Officials raised concerns with the permanent secretary concerning Mr Pincher in October 2019 and the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office “commissioned work to establish facts”, undertaken by the Cabinet Office, he said.

Mr Ellis added: “The exercise established that while the minister meant no harm, what had occurred caused a high level of discomfort ... the minister apologised and those raising the concern accepted the resolution.

“The prime minister was made aware of this issue in late 2019, he was told that the permanent secretary had taken the necessary action. No issue therefore arose about remaining as a minister.

“And last week when fresh allegations arose the prime minister did not immediately recall the conversation in late 2019 about this incident. As soon as he was reminded, the No 10 press office corrected their public lines.”

No 10 admits Boris Johnson knew misconduct complaint was upheld against Chris Pincher

13:16 , Andy Gregory

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has this breaking update:

Boris Johnson knew a misconduct complaint had been upheld against Chris Pincher when he promoted him to the whips office, No 10 has admitted.

But the prime minister’s spokesman denied Downing Street “lied’ when it claimed, last week, that he was unaware of any “specific allegations” against the minister.

Mr Johnson did not originally “recall” being told about the complaint, he said, adding it was “a brief conversation that took place around three years ago”.

The spokesman also conceded the prime minister was told of a separate allegation – when Mr Pincher was promoted in February – but argued that was “unsubstantiated”.

No 10 admits PM knew misconduct complaint was upheld against Chris Pincher

Government ‘paralysed by scandal’, Angela Rayner says

13:14 , Andy Gregory

Labour’s Angela Rayner has described Boris Johnson’s government as being “paralysed by scandal”.

In a Commons debate forced by Labour in response to the Chris Pincher allegations – amid a row over Mr Johnson’s handling of the claims – the party’s deputy leader said: “What message, Mr Speaker, does this send about the standards of this government and what they set?

“What message does this send to the British people facing a cost of living crisis while this government is paralysed by scandal? When will this minister [Michael Ellis] stop defending the indefensible and say ‘enough is enough’.”

Rayner warns of ‘ethical vacuum in Downing Street, with no accountability'

13:12 , Andy Gregory

Launching a barrage of questions at Paymaster General Michael Ellis, Labour’s deputy leader has claimed there is an “ethical vacuum in Downing Street, with no accountability in place” – and accused Boris Johnson of being “either negligent or complicit” in his handling of allegations against Chris Pincher.

Angela Rayner told MPs: “Lord McDonald says the prime minister was informed about the complaint that was upheld of inappropriate behaviour against the then minister. Does the minister here accept Lord McDonald is telling the truth, or is he telling us the prime minister wasn’t aware of it?

“What happened to the complaint, Mr Speaker, and why was nothing done at the time? A minister of state at the Foreign Office has a deeply sensitive role in national security. Was this issue even raised or brought up in the vetting process and was the prime minister informed?

“And why was this conduct not considered a breach of the ministerial code? Why did the prime minister allow him to stay in post? This goes to the heart of why there are issues here, Mr Speaker, and the public have had enough.

“Since the resignation of another of the prime minister’s ethics advisers last month, there has been an even bigger ethical vaccum in Downing Street, with no accountability in place.

“How can the minister come here today and say that this simply just wouldn’t happen again? The prime minister was personally informed about these allegations, and yet he was either negligent or complicit.”

PM’s defence over Pincher row ‘completely blown apart’, says Angela Rayner

12:55 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson’s defence over the Chris Pincher allegations “has been completely blown apart”, Angela Rayner has said.

Responding to minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Ellis in an urgent question on the mechanisms for upholding standards in public life, Labour’s deputy leader said: “This constant charade just will not wash.

“These latest disturbing allegations about the ministerial misconduct are all about abuse of power. And there is one common fault with the system currently that the minister spoke about. And that’s the power that’s granted by this prime minister.

“The minister [Mr Ellis] spoke about personal responsibility. Well the minister needs to remind the prime minister of his personal responsibility.

“Last week the prime minister said he knew nothing of specific allegations of misconduct against the member for Tamworth… But the truth is out today. And that defence has been completely blown apart.”

12:40 , Andy Gregory

Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis is responding to Labour’s urgent question in the Commons on the mechanisms for upholding standards in public life, in response to the Chris Pincher allegations.

He says “it is incumbent on us not to prejudge these decisions”.

Here is the response from ITV’s Paul Brand:

“Let me say that no system can replace the fundamental importance of personal responsibility,” Mr Ellis says. “We all know this to be true. Codes and rules and oversight bodies are there to guide us, but we all ultimately in public life must choose for ourselves how to act.”

Boris Johnson accused of ‘ignoring victim of predatory sexual behaviour'

12:37 , Andy Gregory

In the Commons, Labour shadow justice secretary Steve Reed has accused Boris Johnson of “ignoring the victim of predatory sexual behaviour” in relation to accusations linked to Chris Pincher.

“Members across the House want to see victims’ needs put first,” Mr Reed said.

“So why does the secretary of state tour the TV studios to defend the prime minister for ignoring the victim of predatory sexual behaviour by a former Foreign Office minister when he promoted him to deputy chief whip, despite having been alerted to that behaviour by the permanent undersecretary, and despite the minister in question having admitted to the behaviour?”

Justice minister Tom Pursglove said: “My clear understanding is that the honourable gentleman is wrong about this. But of course it is right that the processes that have been set out are allowed to take their course.

“All of us in this House, I believe, take a very dim view about people being ill-treated, and it’s right that the due process is now able to be followed. What is not in question ... is that this is a government that is determined to make sure that outcomes for victims are better.”

Boris Johnson 'has trashed the reputation’ of Tory Party, senior backbencher says

12:33 , Andy Gregory

Senior Tory backbencher Sir Roger Gale has accused Boris Johnson of sending ministers “effectively to lie on his behalf”, and said Lord McDonald’s letter (see post at 07:55) had convinced him that a change in the 1922 Committee rulebook was necessary to allow another confidence vote in the PM.

“Mr Johnson has for three days now been sending ministers - in one case a cabinet minister - out to defend the indefensible, effectively to lie on his behalf. That cannot be allowed to continue,” he told the BBC.

“This prime minister has trashed the reputation of a proud and honourable party for honesty and decency, and that is not acceptable.

“I have been saying for days now that I was not in favour of changing the rules of the 1922 Committee to permit another vote of confidence within the one-year timescale. Lord McDonald’s letter has changed my view. It is so blatant a lie it has to be acted upon as swiftly as possible by my party.”

Justin Welby condemns leaders who ‘don’t offer all people freedom, safety and opportunity’

12:23 , Andy Gregory

The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised political leaders who do not offer all people freedom, safety and opportunity, after recently condemning the government’s plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda – which he warned “should shame us as a nation”.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby told a human rights conference in London: “When you as politicians extend freedom of religion or belief, you show you care for your people. When you take it away, you show indifference.

“We know that when freedoms of expression and worship are restricted, other freedoms are lost - women, minorities, other people miss out. Leadership is a hard task. You know that. If you don’t offer people freedom, safety and opportunity, or if you only offer this to some people and not to others, you are not really leading.”

Boris Johnson and foreign secretary Liz Truss both also addressed the event, with the prime minister sending a video message.

Zelensky ‘thanks Boris Johnson for unwavering support'

12:16 , Andy Gregory

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he has held further talks with Boris Johnson about the latest situation in Ukraine.

Watch: Conservative MPs sport grim expressions during Cabinet meeting amid Chris Pincher scandal

12:07 , Thomas Kingsley

11:52 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson has said the voices of those persecuted on the basis of their religion is ignored “at our peril”, as he addressed an international conference promoting freedom of religion or belief.

In a video message, the prime minister told the UK government-hosted event in London on Tuesday: “Today, millions of people live in fear simply from following their religion or because of their beliefs, people who face the humiliation and indignities of everyday discrimination to devastating attacks, mass murder and appalling atrocities.

“We ignore these voices at our peril, not just because of the ineluctable link between this and many of the human rights that we cherish, but because free societies are stronger and more prosperous and advance the global cause of peace.”

He added: “It's only through joint action and common purpose that we will defend the right of everyone to enjoy religious and other freedoms and peace.”

Watch: Rees-Mogg caught out when trying to suggest vaccine roll out was thanks to Brexit

11:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Pictured: Cabinet ministers gather amid Pincher row

11:15 , Thomas Kingsley

NEW: Labour granted urgent question on Chris Pincher row

11:05 , Thomas Kingsley

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has been granted an urgent question in the Commons on the Chris Pincher row at around 12.30pm.

She will ask Cabinet Office Minister Michael Ellis to “make a statement on the mechanisms for upholding standards in public life.”

“Boris Johnson’s desperate attempts to cover up what he knew about sexual assault complaints against Chris Pincher before appointing him have been blown out the water,” she said in a statement.

“It is now clear that the Prime Minister knew about the seriousness of these complaints but decided to promote this man to a senior position in Government anyway. He refused to act and then lied about what he knew.

“Boris Johnson is dragging British democracy through the muck. His appalling judgment has made Westminster a less safe place to work.”

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Lord McDonald’s letter showed Boris Johnson had “lied” about the appointment of Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip.

'It makes no sense’: Minister openly criticises government decision to freeze civil service fast stream

11:00 , Thomas Kingsley

One of Boris Johnson’s ministers has publicly criticised the government’s decision to freeze the civil service graduate fast stream for at least year, saying it “makes no sense”.

The comments from Greg Hands come after it was revealed the highly competitive scheme would be suspended as part of Mr Johnson’s controversial plans to reduce the civil service heacount by a fifth.

He told the cabinet in May that “we have got to cut the cost of government to reduce the cost of living”, as he outlined proposals to cut the civil service to 2016 levels – a reduction of 91,000 staff.

Read the full story below:

Minister openly criticises government decision to freeze civil service fast stream

Watch: Dominic Raab clashes with Susanna Reid over ‘guilty’ Chris Pincher

10:45 , Thomas Kingsley

Tory MPs feel ‘very sorry’ for ‘victim’ Chris Pincher, Michael Fabricant says

10:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Conservative MPs feel "very sorry" for Tory MP Chris Pincher and believe he is a "victim in his own way", one of his colleague has said.

Mr Pincher quit as a government whip this week and lost the Conservative whip after he allegedly groped two men in a private members' club. The allegation is the latest agains the MP, an earlier on of which led to an investigation by Whitehall authorities in 2019.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5Live Michael Fabricant, who represents the constituency of Lichfield next to Mr Pincher's in Tamworth, said:

“On the one hand, of course, we're all very sorry for people who've been affected by Chris's action's but we also quite frankly feel very sorry for Chris in many ways.”

Read the full story below:

Tory MPs feel ‘very sorry’ for ‘victim’ Chris Pincher, Michael Fabricant says

Boris Johnson seeks to move past Pincher row in Cabinet meeting

10:17 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson focused on the economy and taxation as he opened Cabinet as he sought to move on from the row over Chris Pincher's behaviour and how much he knew about the allegations surrounding his former deputy chief whip.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's cut in national insurance contributions, the prime minister said it was part of a package to help people grapple with the rising cost of living.

He told the Cabinet: “It will be in people's pay packets from tomorrow onwards and amongst other things it is there to help people up and down the country with the cost of living.

“It's part of the £37 billion that we are able to spend to help people through the current pressures on food prices, on energy prices, that we are seeing.

“It shows that the Government is firmly on the side of the British people.”

Boris Johnson ‘lied’ about Chris Pincher appointment, Angela Rayner says

10:02 , Thomas Kingsley

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Lord McDonald's letter showed Boris Johnson had “lied” about the appointment of Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip.

“Boris Johnson's desperate attempts to cover up what he knew about sexual assault complaints against Chris Pincher before appointing him have been blown out the water,” she said in a statement.

“It is now clear that the prime minister knew about the seriousness of these complaints but decided to promote this man to a senior position in government anyway. He refused to act and then lied about what he knew.

“Boris Johnson is dragging British democracy through the muck. His appalling judgment has made Westminster a less safe place to work.”

Watch: Chris Pincher's conduct in 2019 didn't require 'formal disciplinary action', Raab says

09:45 , Thomas Kingsley

No 10 need to respond to Lord McDonald letter, Tory MP says

09:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said “the prime minister and No 10 do need to respond” to the letter written by Lord McDonald who says Downing Street are still not telling the truth about Chris Pincher.

Lord McDonald of Salford has submitted a formal complaint to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone.

He said: “They need to understand the scale and the gravity of the story and, indeed, get ahead of it. It is dominating the news day-after-day-after-day.”

He added that junior ministers and ministers are being sent out with the lines to tell the media which “only lasts a number of hours until it has to be corrected”.

Mr Ellwood also told the programme: “This is just overshadowing the efforts to try and focus on the bigger issues, which I think is where the country would actually like us to focus. This is very, very serious indeed, but the Government strategy right now in dealing with this particular issue is not wise at all.”

‘You have to do the right thing,’ Lord McDonald says after writing to Parliamentary Standards Committee

09:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Former permanent under-secretary to the foreign and commonwealth office Lord Simon McDonald explained that he wrote to the Parliamentary Standards Committee about Downing Street’s handling of allegations against Chris Pincher because what he had seen and read over the past few days he “knew to be wrong” and that “things get to a point where you have to do the right thing”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme after sending a letter of complaint to the Standards Commissioner, Lord McDonald of Salford said: “It is very unusual for a retired official to do what I have done this morning. I did it by myself, because what I have seen and read over the last few days I knew to be wrong.

“And you know, things get to a point where you have to do the right thing.”

He added: “First of all, Number 10 have had five full days to get the story correct and that has still not happened.

“And second, I do not approve of anonymous briefings behind the scenes. If I was to do this, I should put my name to it rather than just phone a journalist and tip them off.”

Boris Johnson not aware of 'any substantiated complaints' against Pincher, Raab says

09:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Former Tory minister accuses No 10 of lying to ministers over Pincher allegations

08:50 , Thomas Kingsley

A former Tory minister has accused No 10 of lying to ministers over whether Boris Johnson knew about allegations against Chris Pincher.

Former justice secretary David Gauke wrote on Twitter: “A minister can expect to have to go out and defend an unpopular line and that can be uncomfortable. But a minister is entitled to expect that they won’t be lied to by No 10.”

It comes after children’s minister Will Quice said Number 10 had given him a “cast iron, categorical assurance” that Mr Johnson was unaware of any “specific” allegations against Mr Pincher before appointing him.

It has now emerged that Boris Johnson received “first-hand accounts” of allegations against Mr Pincher in 2019 when he was foreign secretary.

PM was not ‘briefed directly’ about Pincher allegations, Raab says

08:35 , Thomas Kingsley

Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab says Boris Johnson was not “briefed directly” about a complaint of inappropriate misconduct by Chris Pincher made while he was a foreign office minister in 2019.

On a complaint made in October 2019, Mr Raab, who was foreign secretary at the time, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: “In relation to what happened in 2019, I’m not aware that the Prime Minister was briefed directly about it.

“I have discussed this with the Prime Minister over the last 24 hours, it is not my understanding that he was directly briefed.”

He added: “In relation to the 2019 allegation or complaint, whilst there was inappropriate behaviour, it didn’t trip the wire into disciplinary action.”

Downing Street needs to ‘come clean,’ Lord McDonald says

08:24 , Thomas Kingsley

Lord McDonald says Downing Street needs to “come clean” over “untruths” on Chris Pincher.

“They need to come clean. the language is ambiguous. It’s sort of telling the truth and crossing your fingers at the same time” Lord McDonald said.

It comes after the former foreign office chief wrote a letter accusing No 10 of “changing its story” on the allegations surrounding Mr Pincher. He claimed in a letter to the parliamentary standards commissioner that Boris Johnson was briefed “in person” about an investigation into Chris Pincher’s conduct as a foreign office minister.

08:18 , Thomas Kingsley

Chris Pincher was investigated over a complaint about his conduct when he was a foreign office minister but it did not lead to any formal sanction, deputy prime minister Dominic Raab has said.

Mr Raab, who was foreign secretary at the time, said the Cabinet Office ethics and propriety team and the then chief whip Mark Spencer were informed in October 2019.

However, he said that he did not believe there was any reason why Boris Johnson would have been told.

“I updated and reported back to the chief whip so that he was aware given the wider responsibility the chief whip has, but I wouldn't have expected in relation to something which didn't merit a formal process, let alone a sanction, to go directly to the prime minister,” he told Times Radio.

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07:55 , Katy Clifton

The former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office Lord McDonald has said in a letter to the parliamentary standards commissioner that Boris Johnson was briefed “in person” about an investigation into Chris Pincher’s conduct as a foreign office minister.

Posting his letter on Twitter this morning, Lord McDonald wrote: “This morning I have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards - because No 10 keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth.”

‘I spoke to Pincher to make sure the behaviour was not repeated'

07:47 , Katy Clifton

Mr Raab has said he had spoken to Mr Pincher when he was a foreign office minister about his conduct and warned him that it must not be repeated.

He told Times Radio: “There was a complaint made in October 2019. It was a complaint of inappropriate conduct. I immediately agreed with the permanent secretary he should conduct an assessment whether it warranted disciplinary action.

“He did so. The permanent secretary did not think independently that any formal action under the Civil Service disciplinary processes in the Foreign Office was warranted. He spoke to Chris Pincher. I also spoke to Chris Pincher to make sure the behaviour was not repeated.

“I also, for assurance and to make sure we had taken the most rigorous approach, referred the matter to the Cabinet Office ethics and propriety team who looked at it and they confirmed there wasn’t a case for proceeding under the Ministerial Code.

“We followed the processes – I did – to the letter, in fact beyond what was recommended.”

Raab says Pincher was investigated while he was foreign office minister

07:35 , Katy Clifton

Dominic Raab has said Chris Pincher was investigated over a complaint about his conduct when he was a foreign office minister but it did not lead to any formal sanction.

The deputy prime minister, who was foreign secretary at the time, told Times Radio earlier this morning that the Cabinet Office ethics and propriety team and the then chief whip Mark Spencer were informed in October 2019.

However, he said that he did not believe there was any reason why Boris Johnson would have been told.

“I updated and reported back to the chief whip so that he was aware given the wider responsibility the chief whip has, but I wouldn’t have expected in relation to something which didn’t merit a formal process, let alone a sanction, to go directly to the prime minister.”

No 10 refuses to deny Dominic Cummings' claim over Johnson's comments about Pincher

07:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After it came to light that the PM had been given a “first-hand account” of the inappropriate sexual behaviour before Chris Pincher was promoted to whip’s office, Downing Street has refused to comment on Dominic Cummings claim that Boris Johnson had referred to Mr Pincher as “Pincher by name, pincher by nature”.

The official spokesperson said: “I have seen those unsubstantiated source quotes and I don’t intend to respond to them.”The spokesperson continued: “I’m simply not going to comment on the content of what was or wasn’t said in private conversations.”

Boris Johnson says Ukraine 'must prevail' against Russian invasion

06:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Boris Johnson said that Ukraine “must prevail” in a statement of unity with allied countries against the Russian invasion.

He said during his address to the Commons on Monday afternoon after having returned from last week’s Commonwealth, G7 and Nato summits that the summits “exceeded all expectations in the unity and single-minded resolve of the alliance to support Ukraine for as long as it takes”.

He added: “All of us understand that if [Vladimir] Putin is not stopped in Ukraine he will find new targets for his revanchist attacks and we are not defending some abstract ideal but the first principle of a peaceful world, which is that large and powerful countries cannot be allowed to dismember their neighbours and if this was ever permitted, then no nation anywhere would be safe.”

The prime minister said Ukraine “must have the strength to finish this war on the terms that President Zelensky has described”.Meanwhile, Mr Johnson told MPs that the G7 has also pledged “nearly 30 billion dollars of financial support for Ukraine this year”.

Tory MP questions Johnson over defence spending commitment

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A former Tory whip has questioned Boris Johnson’s commitment to getting defence spending up to 2.5 per cent of GDP by the end of this decade.

Mark Harper said: “When the prime minister’s remarks at the Nato summit were reported last week, the 2.5 per cent commitment to spend on defence appeared to be really quite solid. His remarks today are less so. So assuming it is a commitment, can I just ask him, is it a commitment? And secondly, how are we going to pay for it?”

Mr Johnson responded: “This is a straightforward protraction - prediction - based on what we are currently committed to spending under the Aukus programme and under the FCAS [Future Combat Air System] programme as well. These are gigantic commitments. I think they’re the right thing for the UK.”

He continued: “They will take us up to that threshold. Of course, much depends on the size of our GDP at the time. Much depends on the growth in the economy. I think we’re going to pay for it out of steady and sustained economic growth.”

Earlier, the PM had said: “If you follow the trajectory of our programmes to modernise our armed forces, you will draw the logical conclusion that the UK will likely be spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by the end of this decade.”

Unions urge speaker to take action as they claim 'political parties cannot be trusted'

06:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

More than 1,000 parliamentary workers — representing two unions — have written to House of Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle, urging parliament to take action over the Chris Pincher scandal.

The unions jointly called parliament an unsafe space to work and general secretaries of the unions have said that political parties cannot be trusted to deal with the misbehaviour of their own MPs.

FDA and Prospect have asked that parliament act to stop the “seemingly endless” allegations of sexual misconduct by MPs.The unions said that politicians were time and again failing to “deal properly with sexual misconduct by one of their own”.

Starmer rules out rejoining EU or single market

05:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU or the single market if the party comes to power.

During a speech on Monday evening, Mr Starmer pledged to tackle what he called a “fatberg of red tape and bureaucracy” caused by Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal.

He insisted that rejoining the EU would create more division in Britain. And added that Labour intends to grow the economy — the details of which he will reveal later — but insisted that the first step was to make a success of leaving the EU.

He argued: “We will be the honest broker our countries need. We will get the protocol working and we will make it the springboard to securing a better deal for the British people.”

No 10 reject Diane Abbott's claims about Johnson

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After Labour MP Diane Abbott said on a BBC Radio 4 show that Boris Johnson is “rumoured to like assaulting women”, No 10 has responded saying the “claim is untrue”.

Ms Abbott also accused the prime minister of hypocrisy while responding to a question about allegations surrounding Chris Pincher.

The PM’s official spokesman said: “Obviously that claim is untrue. But I’m not going to get into engaging on political points beyond that.”

During the segment on the show, host Paddy O’Connell queried her claim and added: “Diane, you’ve got to answer my questions rather than raising new claims.”

The spokesperson also said that the BBC had temporarily removed the programme from its catch-up service to edit out the segment.

Carrie Johnson openly questioned Chris Pincher's suitability as a government whip, report says

05:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Carrie Johnson had openly questioned Chris Pincher’s suitability as a government whip five years ago, according to a report.

Sky News said that Ms Johnson questioned how Mr Pincher ended up in the whip’s office.

Last week was the second time Mr Pincher resigned from the whip’s office. He first resigned in 2017 after a Conservative candidate accused him of making an inappropriate advance.

The Independent, meanwhile, learned that Boris Johnson was given a “first-hand account” of allegations against Mr Pincher before he was promoted to the role of deputy chief whip.

Johnson was given ‘first-hand account’ of allegations against Pincher before promoting him

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Boris Johnson was given a “first-hand account” of inappropriate sexual behaviour by Chris Pincher before his appointment to the role of deputy chief whip, The Independent has learned.

Read the full story here:

Johnson was given ‘first-hand account’ of claims against Pincher