Tory Conor Burns sacked from government and loses whip over 'gross misconduct' allegations

The Conservative trade minister has lost his government job and is being investigated by the whips office after "allegations of inappropriate behavior more early this week"

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Conor Burns fired over 'gross misconduct' allegations

A trade minister was sacked from government and lost the Tory whip after a 'gross misconduct' complaint.

It is understood a third party lodged a complaint with the Tory whips over Conor Burns' behavior towards a man at the party conference in Birmingham earlier this week.

Further details were unclear, but a source said the alleged incident happened in the hotel bar.

Mr. Burns said he was not told the nature of the allegations and accused his party of "rushing judgment".

He added, "I will cooperate fully with the Party's investigation and look forward to clearing my name."

Mr. Burns has also been suspended as a patron of LGBT+ conservatives, pending the outcome of an investigation into his conduct.

A No10 spokeswoman said: 'Following a complaint of serious misconduct, the Prime Minister has asked MP Conor Burns to leave the government with immediate effect.

"The Prime Minister took direct action on being made aware of this allegation and it is clear that all ministers must maintain high standards of behavior - as the public rightly expects."

Conor Burns (left) was a staunch ally of Boris Johnson (right) and remained in the Truss government (

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A spokesperson for the whips office said: 'We have suspended the whip pending an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior earlier this week.

“We take all of these allegations very seriously. The Prime Minister has been clear that the highest standards of public life must be upheld.”

Spice Girl Mel B also waded into Conor Burns' sacking in a surprise twist.

The pop icon - who attended the Tory conference to campaign for victims of domestic abuse - tweeted at the Tory MP: 'Really?? Your shocked by this complaint???

"Let me remind you of what you said to me in the elevator…."

She didn't reveal what was said in the elevator.

The Bournemouth West MP, 50 since 2010, was a fiercely loyal minister under Boris Johnson.

He resigned from the government in May 2020 after an independent standards inquiry found he "used his parliamentary position to attempt to intimidate a member of the public", in a dispute involving his family.< /p>

He said at the time, "I prof...