Carrie Johnson 'questioned Chris Pincher's suitability for whip 5 years ago'

The exchanges, which Sky News says it saw, came after he resigned as whip in 2017 following allegations of unwanted sexual advances to a Conservative candidate.

Image: PA)

Carrie Johnson openly questioned Chris Pincher's suitability as government whip five years ago, reports say.

The Conservative Party's communications director at the time is said to have sent messages asking how the MP ended up in the whips' office.

The exchanges, according to Sky News, took place after he resigned as whip in 2017 following allegations of unwanted sexual advances to a Tory candidate.

Mr. Pincher went to the police. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an internal Tory investigation and reappointed by Theresa May.

The incident took place before Ms Johnson, then Carrie Symonds, began her relationship with the married Foreign Secretary.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'Ms Johnson is a private person and has no role in ministerial appointments.

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Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said 'you can't judge people on rumours' when asked if it was appropriate for the PM to appoint Chris Pincher chief whip deputy despite allegations about his conduct.

He told LBC's Tonight With Andrew Marr: "There were rumours.

"I think prime ministers have to be fair, they can't just say, 'I heard some gossip and I think you did something I wouldn't approve of.'"

Labour leader Keir Starmer said Mr Pincher's appointment was another example of Boris Johnson's poor judgment.

Speaking in a series of broadcast interviews, Sir Keir told Sky News: "I have no sympathy for a Prime Minister who repeatedly passes judgment c...