Boris Johnson knew about Tory Chris Pincher claims, admits Downing Street

After a weekend of fending off questions, Downing Street has now clarified and admitted that the Prime Minister was aware of "media reports" and " certain allegations" when he made Chris Pincher Deputy Chief Whip

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Downing Street admits PM knew of Pincher allegations

Boris Johnson knew about the claims about Tory MP Chris Pincher when he gave him a lead job, Downing Street admitted today.

On Friday, Downing Street insisted Mr Johnson was ‘not aware of any specific allegations’ about the MP when he appointed him Deputy Chief Whip.

But today the Prime Minister's official spokesperson clarified that comment - to say he was not aware of any specific allegations 'under investigation' at the time.

In fact, Mr Johnson was aware of “media reports that others had seen over the years and some allegations that have either been resolved or have not resulted in a formal complaint,” the official said. Spokesperson for the Prime Minister.

It comes after a weekend of questions to the Prime Minister about what he knew about Mr Pincher before the February reshuffle.

Cabinet Minister Therese Coffey told Sky News yesterday: 'I am not aware that he has been made aware of any specific allegations regarding any particular incident.

Boris Johnson faces questions about what he knew (

Picture:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"But you were asking about more general rumors - and I have no idea what conversations took place."

But former ally Dominic Cummings then alleged the Prime Minister had jokingly referred to Mr Pincher as 'Pincher by name, by nature'.

Downing Street refused to deny this today, saying: 'I have seen these quotes from unsubstantiated sources - I have no intention of responding to them.

Clarifying what the Prime Minister knew in February 2022, his official spokesperson said: 'At the time of the appointment, the Prime Minister was not aware of any specific allegations under consideration.

"He was a person who had been a minister before and under other prime ministers.

"In the absence of a formal complaint, it was not appropriate to terminate an appointment on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.

"Now the Prime Minister was aware of media reports that others had seen over the years and some allegations that have either been resolved or...