Downing Street refuses to publish explosive texts between Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher

The Prime Minister's official spokesman previously confirmed the pair exchanged text messages on the day Mr Pincher resigned, but declined to "d 'go into the details of those specific messages'

Downing Street has refused to publish the explosive texts between Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher that led to the disgraced former whip's resignation.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman has previously confirmed that the couple exchanged text messages on the day Mr Pincher resigned, but declined to 'go into details of those specific messages'.

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The messages came ahead of a formal resignation letter, in which Mr Pincher told the Prime Minister that he had 'drank far too much' and was 'embarrassing myself and other people'.

But the Prime Minister's traditional response to a resigning minister was never published by No10, and the text messages remain secret.

No10 regularly publishes correspondence between the Prime Minister and ministers when they step down - and Mr Pincher's role as Deputy Chief Whip was a government ministerial role, with a taxpayer-funded salary.< /p>

But No10 said posts of a "political party" nature are not held by public officials and would not be disclosed under freedom of information laws.

Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher

Mr. Johnson has since admitted 'it was a mistake' to appoint Mr Pincher as Deputy Chief Whip, after it emerged he had forgotten to be told of earlier allegations of 'inappropriate' behavior .

When asked if it was a mistake to appoint Pincher, the Prime Minister replied: "I think it was a mistake and I apologize. Looking back, it wasn't the right thing to do.

“I apologize to everyone who has been hit hard by this. I want it to be absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anyone who is predatory or abuses their position as power."

But he did not deny reports that he jokingly referred to Mr. Pincher as "Pincher by name, Pincher by nature".

And despite his apology, the scandal sparked a wave of resignations from Mr Johnson's cabinet over his character and judgment, which ultimately led to his resignation as Prime Minister.

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