Tory minister sacked for 'inappropriate behaviour' at party conference

A government minister has been sacked after allegations of behaviour' at the Conservative Party conference this week.

Conor Burns, a trade minister, first had the party remove the whip - and within minutes No 10 had announced that he had been told to 'leave government with immediate effect'.

The MP for Bournemouth West, who was a very close ally of Boris Johnson during his time in Downing Street, said that he was eager to 'clear my name'.

< p>His sacking follows a series of sordid allegations against senior Tories, including groping by Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher - the scandal that forced Mr Johnson to whom tter No 10.

Neil Parish has resigned from the House of Commons after he admitted watching porn in the bedroom - and another unnamed Tory MP is currently out on bail over rape allegations .

Inquiries are underway into David Warburton, the Tory MP suspended over allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use.

The Independent, meanwhile, revealed how Liz Truss accepted help during her leadership campaign from a former government minister accused of sexual harassment, according to from No 10 sources.

< p>The Prime Minister was not only aware of the allegations - denied by the politician - but suggested he could return to serve in his government, officials said.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner has seized on Mr Burns' sacking as evidence that the new government 'is already in the grip of a scandal', pointing to Ms Truss's refusal to appoint an adviser in ethics.

"This deeply disturbing revelation is the latest in a long line of serious allegations of misconduct, and raises serious questions - not just about another mini ster - but about of the Prime Minister's judgment refusing to appoint an independent ethics adviser,” she said.

“For those who hoped that Liz Truss would turn the page on years of conservative mischief, we are already seeing more of the same.”

Mr. Burns confirmed his suspension, in a series of tweets that criticized a "rush for judgment" and demanded that the party's investigation be concluded with similar speed.

"I have not received any information on the complaint and I was not asked to provide any information," he said of a phone call from Wendy Morton, the chief whip.

He added "I will cooperate fully with the party's investigation and look forward to clearing my name. I hope the party will be as quick to investigate as it is to rush to judgment. The MP must 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 expects rightly."

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

It is understood that a third party approached No 10 with testimony about an incident they witnessed - rather than the sacking following a complainant who came forward.

The instant dismissal appeared to be a clear attempt to act in stark contrast to the way Mr Johnson allowed the Pincher scandal to be dragged on as the No 10 was misleads journalists about the context to this.

The LGBT+ Tory group reacted to Mr Burns' sacking saying he was 'suspending his patronage' pending the conclusion of investigations.

This is the second time Mr. Burns has been...