Truss 'accepted campaign aid' from ex-minister despite allegations of harassment

Liz Truss accepted help during her campaign in the leadership of a former government minister accused of sexual harassment, Number 10 sources claim.

The prime minister was not only aware of the allegations, officials said, but suggested that he could return to serve in his government.

The politician, who denies any wrongdoing, first tried to settle the matter informally with a letter of apology to the woman before reaching a a financial settlement this summer.

A second official also claimed the minister, who was part of Boris Johnson's government, made harassing comments to him, which he also denies.

Allegations of his links to Ms Truss come at the end of a tough Tory conference for the Prime Minister and added pressure to his refusal to appoint a parliamentary ethics adviser after Mr Johnson dropped out of the post earlier this year.

She has rejected calls to do so, saying during her campaign that she knows the "difference between right and wrong".

The Independent understands the former minister provided some behind-the-scenes support for the Truss leadership campaign while she was aware of the allegations, according to two No 10 officials.

She was among a group of cabinet members, including Mr Johnson, who were informally briefed on the allegations, sources said. No formal investigation has been conducted.

The former minister allegedly made inappropriate comments to the official, who later filed a complaint. Senior officials reviewed the comments and decided that an investigation was not warranted.

The alleged victim was unable to turn to the Independent Complaints and Grievance System (ICGS), which deals with incidents on the parliamentary grounds - but not Whitehall or beyond. Officials can only access the ICGS if an incident has occurred on the estate and it involves a member of the parliamentary community.

After his efforts to obtain an investigation prove unsuccessful, the alleged victim threatened the lawyer with action against the former minister.

The out-of-court financial settlement did not include an admission of wrongdoing by the former minister. minister, it is understood.

A second official, who had worked with the former minister, told The Independent they were aware of the allegations and had also made the subject of inappropriate remarks.

She said that "it was important for people to understand that this is not unique" regarding her alleged behavior.

No 10 declined to comment last night, saying the matter was linked to Ms Truss' leadership bid. Spokespersons for Ms Truss did not respond to a request for comment.

Concerns over inappropriate behavior swirled around Westminster during Mr Johnson's tenure amid fears he goes unchecked.

The handling of allegations involving MP Chris Pincher, the former minister accused of groping young men at a private club, was the final straw in the protracted downfall of the former Prime Minister.

Rejecting calls for an ethics counsellor, Ms Truss said during a Conservative leadership campaign in August that she would “make sure the right device is in place for people to speak out” – but union bosses fear that without a figurehead it will be “difficult” for victims of misconduct, especially civil servants, to seek justice.

Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents sent to thousands of public servants, said, "By choosing not to appoint an independent ethics counsellor, Liz Truss appears to show the same indifference to ministerial misconduct as her predecessor."

A door - PCS spokesman added that there was a "lack of will" under Mr Johnson's administration to investigate allegations of ministerial misconduct, "making it difficult for victims to speak out and ensure that disciplinary action be taken.”

Last week, the ICGS dropped a complaint against Mr. Pincher because the incident did not occur in the parliamentary realm. According to reports, at least one of the alleged victims has appealed to Parliament's Commissioner for Standards.

Sources in various positions at Westminster have said there are often few effective remedies for alleged victims . One said there was often "a choice between speaking out and pushing for some...