'Sex pest' Tory MP Chris Pincher will not be investigated

‘Sex pest’ Tory MP Chris Pincher who triggered scandal that led to Boris Johnson’s downfall after ‘drunkenly groping’ two men will NOT be investigated by parliamentary watchdog

Tamworth MP Mr Pincher resigned as Tory Party deputy chief whip on June 30
Was referred to parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grivance Scheme
Investigation dropped because incident did not happen on parliamentary estate
Wave of MPs resigned in wake of scandal, forcing Boris Johnson to step down

Shamed MP Chris Pincher, whose sex scandal triggered the downfall of Boris Johnson, is not going to be investigated by the parliamentary watchdog.

The disgraced Conservative Party deputy chief whip, who is now an independent MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire after his suspension from the party, was reported to parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) in June following allegations that he drunkenly groped two men in London’s Carlton Club.

Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip on June 30, admitting he had ’embarrassed himself and other people’ after drinking too much at the Tory private members club.

Then Prime Minister Boris Johnson withdrew the whip from him the following day, on July 1, but his story changed over whether he had been aware of ‘specific allegations’ against Mr Pincher before appointing him.

On July 5, Mr Johnson was forced to apologise after it was revealed he had been briefed ‘in person’ about a formal complaint.

Minutes later Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid resigned, triggering a wave of resignations that left Mr Johnson little choice but to step down on July 7 and ultimately led to the appointment of Britain’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

But now it has emerged that the ICGS has dismissed the complaint against Mr Pincher, made by a man in his mid-twenties who alleges that the MP fondled his left buttock before moving his hand around to his groin at the club on June 29.

Chris Pincher, whose sex scandal triggered the downfall of Boris Johnson (pictured together), is not going to be investigated by parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme

A second man also alleged that he was groped by him on the same night, before Mr Pincher was thrown out of the club by another MP who witnessed him staggering around the room.

According to The Times, the investigation has been dropped because the incident was ‘out of scope’, having not taken place on the parliamentary estate.

A source told the newspaper: ‘The complainant has been told that because the incident did not happen on the parliamentary estate, it is not within their remit. They are currently appealing against the decision.’

The decision has provoked an angry backlash against the watchdog, with one official describing it as ‘not fit for purpose’.

It is unclear whether Mr Pincher will now return to Parliament, having been asked not to while the ICGS was investigating.

His constituents in Tamworth have previously expressed their annoyance about their absentee MP.

The incidents allegedly took place in the exclusive Carlton Club in London. (Pictured)

In July, more than 2,000 people signed a petition calling for Mr Pincher to resign, with his behaviour described as having brought ‘disgrace to the Town of Tamworth’, and locals have held meetings about getting rid of him.

In the latest update posted on his constituency website on August 30, Mr Pincher said he had been away for the summer recess ‘seeking and undergoing medical support’.

He added: ‘I appreciate that a lot of people have contacted me, and I am grateful for those messages.

‘I will respond to those messages just as soon as I can.

‘In the meantime, my office has been working full throttle on casework enquiries and all constituents should continue to email, write, and telephone me in the normal way.’

MailOnline has contacted Chris Pincher and the House of Commons media team for comment.

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