The government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, already weakened by several scandals, is facing a new headache after the resignation of a manager accused of groping other men, the latest in a series of similar lawsuits within the Conservative Party.
This news is bad news for the conservative prime minister, who, after a week abroad, attended three summits where he distanced himself from domestic political challenges while presenting himself as a strong supporter of Ukraine against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The social crisis in the UK is intensifying with rising inflation and is now facing a new hurdle after the party door.
In his resignation letter Thursday, “whip” Chris Pincher, who is responsible for parliamentary discipline from Conservative lawmakers, admits he drank “too much” and apologized for the “shame” he experienced and caused others.
According to British media, the 52-year-old politician has been accused of abusing two people – including a MP – in front of witnesses at the Carlton Club, a private club in central London, which sparked the party’s complaints.
The latest series of sexually explicit events in the party that has ruled the country for 12 years is embarrassing.
An unnamed rape suspect was arrested and later released on bail in May. Last month, another Conservative MP resigned after he was caught watching a porn video on his smartphone in the House of Commons. A former lawmaker was also sentenced to 18 months in prison in May for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
In the last two cases, lawmakers resigned, which led to partial legislative elections and a ballot defeat for the Conservatives. With the poll results, party chairman Oliver Dowden stepped down.
– Disruption – “The Prime Minister has accepted the resignation and thinks it is right for him to resign,” said Johnson’s deputy spokesman. “(He) thinks such behavior is unacceptable and will encourage anyone who wishes to file a complaint to do so,” he said.
A spokesperson for Johnson agreed with the Conservative Party disciplinarian to remove Pincher from the party “while the investigation continues”, amid calls for stricter action.
“It’s impossible for conservatives to ignore possible sexual assault,” said Angela Rayner, the number two member of the main opposition group Labor.
Before criticizing the “complete disruption of the norms of public life” in the prime minister’s government, he added, “Boris Johnson has serious questions to answer about how Chris Pincher got this role and how he can stay a Conservative MP.”
Boris Johnson’s government has also been shaken by the scandal of parties celebrating on Downing Street, despite the government’s restrictions during the covid pandemic. The case sparked a vote of no confidence within the Conservative Party, but it survived.
Chris Pincher, who was appointed in February, had already resigned as a “little whip” in 2017 after being accused of having sexual relations with the Olympic athlete and potential conservative candidate in the election. He was acquitted after an internal investigation.
Reincarnated by former Prime Minister Theresa May, Boris Johnson continued to work for the foreign ministry as secretary of state when he took power in July 2019.
London Police said there were no reports of any assault at the Carlton Club.
source: Noticias
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