Re: UK News and Discussions
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 7:04 pm
Ministers attempting to blackmail colleagues who might oppose PM, alleges Tory MP
Thu 20 Jan 2022 12.34 GMT
A senior Conservative MP has alleged that government ministers, whips and advisers have intimidated and attempted to blackmail some colleagues they suspect may oppose Boris Johnson, saying this could be a police matter.
[...]
The Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, said allegations about potentially criminal offences would be a matter for the police. “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,” he said.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said the alleged threats to withdraw investment to force support for Johnson were “disgusting”. She said: “These are grave and shocking accusations of bullying, blackmail, and misuse of public money and must be investigated thoroughly.”
Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the claims showed Downing Street was “now in full scorched earth mode”. He said: “All Boris Johnson cares about is saving his own skin. He’s acting more like a mafia boss than a prime minister.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... is-johnson
