As their fight with Boris Johnson takes an amazing new twist, the Rebel Tories threaten to release secret recordings of Government whips’ “blackmail” threats.
Backbenchers pushing to replace the Prime Minister in Partygate chaos claim they taped party enforcers who attempted to bully MPs as well as copies of texts messages.
On Thursday, Mr Johnson claimed he’d’seen nothing’ to back the assertion made by William Wragg (a senior Conservative) that critics of Johnson were being intimidated in an attempt to stop him from becoming president.
The incendiary claims include Christian Wakeford’s claim that he was threatened with losing his Bury South seat if the Government did not allow him to find for new schools in the area.
The Times reports that Tory MPs eager to see Johnson back have secretly taped heated conversation with Mark Spencer, chief whip of Tory Party. They also recorded text messages supporting the claims.
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, said today that he didn’t believe this was occurring and claimed blackmail threats would not be accepted.
Christian Wakeford claimed that he was warned to find a school for his Bury South constituent if he didn’t support the Government’s decision to cut free food for students.
Kwasi Kwarteng, Business Secretary of the Republic of South Africa, stated today that he didn’t believe this was occurring and said blackmail threats would not be accepted.
The Times reports that Tory MPs eager to see Johnson back have secretly taped heated conversation with Mark Spencer, chief whip of Tory Party. They also recorded text messages supporting the claims.
On Thursday, Mr Johnson claimed he’d’seen nothing’ to back the assertion made by William Wragg (a senior Conservative) that critics of Johnson were being intimidated in an attempt to stop him from becoming president.
According to him, the job of the whips is to persuade voters to vote for the Government as they have done over the decades and use a range of methods.
However, he stated that the idea of them saying to an MP, “Well, your school or hospital will not get the necessary funds if they don’t vote for the Government,” was a terrible one.
He stated that these are serious allegations and should be investigated. If people behave this way, I believe they must be punished.
“I consider it extremely unlikely, but we will have to investigate this.”
This comes just as Sue Gray (the senior official investigating claims of rule-busting gatherings in Government) was reported to have discovered an email from Martin Reynolds, Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary, warning him against having a party at No 10 Garden during the initial lockdown.
ITV News reports that Reynolds was informed by an official in the email that the meeting’should have been cancelled’ because the group had violated rules.
Johnson admitted that he attended the meeting in question 25 minutes ago on May 20, 2020. However, he maintained that it was a work event and that it wasn’t against rules.
In an attempt to maintain his position, the PM was defending claims Tory critics were being intimidated.
On Thursday, Mr Wragg stated that he received reports about conduct from’members at 10 Downing Street and special advisors, Ministers and other officials encouraging publication of stories in press to embarrass people who suspect they lack confidence in Prime Minister’.
“Intimidation of Members of Parliament is serious.” According to the Chairman of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, any report I know would be considered blackmail.
“As such, it would be my general recommendation to colleagues that they report these matters the Speaker of The House of Commons or the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police.
On his visit to Taunton Johnson stated that Johnson had seen and heard no evidence supporting any of the claims.
Although he stated that he would look into the evidence, No. 10 indicated there was no plan to open an investigation like Labour demanded.
The Times reports that a Tory MP stated they had been told by a whip, “You’re done,” when they voted in opposition to the Government’s last year.
According to the paper, Tory rebels also met Thursday in order to plan their next steps.
One of few Tory backbenchers who have publicly stated that they had written a letter asking Sir Graham Brady (chairman of backbench 1922 Committee) to request a no confidence vote for Mr Johnson’s leadership.
He suggested that the threat by the Government Whips Office to withhold public funds from constituencies of MPs may have violated the ministerial codes.
Christian Wakeford is the Labour MP who defected in protest against Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Metropolitan Police indicated that officers would be able to consider complaints.
“As with all such allegations, should there be a criminal offense being reported to the Met it would be taken into consideration,” a spokesperson stated.
According to reports that Ms Gray found an email warning Mr Reynolds not to hold a Downing Street drink party, No. 10 did not respond.