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William Wragg alleges 'blackmail' against Tory MPs plotting against Boris Johnson
A senior Conservative MP has accused ministers of breaching the ministerial code by making threats to rebel colleagues who are considering trying to topple Boris Johnson.
William Wragg urged the MPs to go the police, saying: “The reports of which I’m aware would seem to constitute blackmail.”
The sensational accusation comes after some MPs considering submitting letters demanding a vote of no confidence in the prime minister reported receiving threats.
Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole MP, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s kind of made people a bit more relaxed, it’s calmed nerves. I think people have recognised that actually this constant navel gazing and internal debating is only to the advantage of our political opponents.
“The prime minister is probably thanking Christian for what he did because it’s made a lot of people think again, think twice.”
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Key Points Whips must not ‘intimidate’ MPs, says Commons speaker Key email proving PM’s aide was warned to cancel party ‘found by inquiry’ Senior Tory launches withering attack on PM Tory defection helped prime minister, says Conservative MP Boris Johnson’s position safe for now at least No 10: ‘Up to Sue Gray’ to probe PM’s Chequers to London commute during lockdown
Show latest update 1642681964 Key email proving PM’s aide was warned to cancel party ‘found’
An email central to the charge that Boris Johnson “lied to parliament” over the No 10 garden party he attended has been found by the inquiry, it is believed.
Sue Gray is also poised to quiz the senior official who sent the email – warning the prime minister’s aide Martin Reynolds to scrap the “bring your own booze” event – the official has said.
He will tell the partygate inquiry head that Mr Reynolds “immediately came to his office after receipt of the email and asked him why the party should be cancelled”, ITV News has reported.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has more:
Key email proving PM’s top aide was ‘warned’ to cancel No 10 party ‘found by inquiry’ Sue Gray poised to quiz official who urged Martin Reynolds to scrap ‘bring your own booze’ gathering
Sam Hancock 20 January 2022 12:32
1642681593 No 10: ‘Up to Sue Gray’ to probe PM’s Chequers to London commute during lockdown
Over to Downing Street now, where the PM’s spokesman has said it is for Sue Gray to decide whether she will expand her investigation to cover Boris Johnson’s decision to commute between Chequers and No 10 during March 2020.
“The terms of reference already allow for the investigation team to consider matters they deem are relevant or worthy of further examination,” the official spokesman said.
Downing Street has repeatedly said the decision to go to Chequers in the early days of the pandemic was because it was safer for Mr Johnson’s pregnant then-fiancee Carrie Symonds.
She was “acting in line with clinical advice to reduce contact, given the nature of Downing Street and how it operates”.
“The prime minister was commuting to work to lead the coronavirus response,” the spokesman added.
Sam Hancock 20 January 2022 12:26
1642681446 ‘Totally unacceptable’ if MPs being threatened - Reeves
The criticism doesn’t stop there. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves says it would be “totally unacceptable” if MPs are found to have been blackmailed or intimidated by the government.
Speaking in Bury, which saw its Tory MP defect to the Labour Party yesterday, she said: “A government must govern in the national interest, not in its narrow party interests, and if this is a way that the Conservatives think they can get through this crisis, then they need to think again.
“The people of this country are looking on in dismay and disgust that it is one rule for those at the top and another for everyone else, and this is just another example of that.”
Sam Hancock 20 January 2022 12:24
1642681237 Watch: William Wragg alleges 'blackmail' against Tory MPs plotting against Boris Johnson
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William Wragg alleges 'blackmail' against Tory MPs plotting against Boris Johnson
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 12:20
1642680344 Whips must not ‘intimidate’ MPs, says speaker
Our politics reporter Adam Forrest has the following:
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said warned whips it would be a “contempt” to obstruct MPs in doing their duties by trying to “intimidate” them.
He noted “serious allegations” have been made by Tory MP William Wragg before offering general guidance to MPs given he has yet had a chance to study the specific details.
Sir Lindsay told MPs: “Those who work for them are not above the criminal law. The investigation of allegedly criminal conduct is a matter for the police and decisions about prosecution are for the CPS. It will be wrong of me to interfere with such matters.
“While the whipping system is long-established, it is of course a contempt to obstruct members in the discharge of their duty or to attempt to intimidate a member in their parliamentary conduct by threats.”
Sam Hancock 20 January 2022 12:05
1642680337 No 10 has reverted to ‘thuggish tactics’ to save PM, SNP claims
The SNP’s Westminster deputy leader Kirsten Oswald MP said the claim of intimidation, blackmail and threats towards Tory backbenchers who may have backed calls for a confidence vote are “serious, dangerous and must be investigated”.
She added: “In a desperate attempt to save his crumbling premiership, Johnson and his team have turned to thuggish tactics of threats to pressure MPs.”
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 12:05
1642679437 Big dogs are ‘absolutely splendid’, says Rees-Mogg
Jacob Rees-Mogg has joked ex-Tory MP Christian Wakford’s defection to the Labour benches – saying he had used strong language about his “now socialist friends” that would make him “blush to repeat”.
Asked about ‘Operation Big Dog’ – the No 10 plan to save Mr Johnson – Mr Rees-Mogg said: “As regards big dogs, I think they are absolutely splendid.”
“I got a dog from my daughter a couple of years ago. I was keen on an Irish wolfhound … We ended up with cocker spaniel, which is also an absolute delight.”
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 11:50
1642678537 Brexit: UK-Australia trade deal ‘as one-sided as the Ashes’ thrashing, Tory MP tells ministers
The post-Brexit trade deal Boris Johnson’s government struck with Australia is as “one-sided” as the recent Ashes cricket contest, a Conservative MP has told ministers.
Tory MP Neil Hudson said he was worried that British farmers could be undercut and “undermined” by the import of cheap Australian meat.
“Free trade agreements should be fair to both partners,” he said the Commons. “The Australian FTA, dare I say it – like the Ashes cricket series – is a bit one-sided in favour of Australia.”
Our politics reporter Adam Forrest has more below:
UK-Australia trade deal ‘as one-sided as the Ashes’, says Tory MP Questions raised about deal struck in December, as talks with US on steel tariffs begin
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 11:35
1642677637 Watch: MP Sir Robert Buckland says that breaking the law is 'a matter for resignation'
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MP Sir Robert Buckland says that breaking the law is 'a matter for resignation'
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 11:20
1642676737 PM’s daughter Romy ‘badly’ hit with Covid at five weeks old
Boris Johnson’s six-week-old daughter was ‘badly hit’ by Covid-19, a source told the Daily Mail.
Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson, daughter of the Prime Minister and wife Carrie Johnson, is now said to be ‘on the mend’ after contracting the virus at five-weeks-old.
Last Thursday, Downing Street announced a family member of Mr Johnson had tested positive for coronavirus which the Daily Mail said was his newborn daughter, citing sources.
My colleague Furvah Shah has more below:
Boris Johnson’s daughter Romy was ‘badly hit’ with Covid at five-weeks-old The prime minister cancelled a public appearance last week after Downing Street confirmed an unidentified family member tested positive for coronavirus.
Matt Mathers 20 January 2022 11:05
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