Rishi Sunak backs minister who went campaigning with flasher MP Peter Bone
Rishi Sunak has backed a minister who went out campaigning with flasher MP Peter Bone.
The Sunday Mirror caught DWP minister Tom Pursglove out door-knocking with the suspended MP on Saturday just two days after he was banned from the Commons. Asked whether Mr Sunak has confidence in Mr Pursglove, the PM's spokesman said: “I mean, as a minister, yes."
The No10 spokesman said the question would need to be directed to his political colleagues as it related to political campaigning. When pressed further, he refused to say whether it was "appropriate" for a minister to be "out door knocking with someone who's been suspended for Parliament and faces some really serious allegations". The PM's spokesman dodged the question: “Again, I’d have to point to political colleagues around campaigning.”
Mr Bone, who is serving a six-week suspension over bullying and sexual misconduct claims, denies any wrongdoing. Science Secretary Michelle Donelan yesterday questioned whether Mr Bone should have been out canvassing. "I'd say that, if you're not a Conservative, you shouldn't be advertising and promoting the Conservative Party and that seems like common sense to me," she said.
The PM is under mounting pressure to take action against Mr Pursglove for joining his pal in drumming up support for the Tories. Labour chair Anneliese Dodds last night wrote to the Prime Minister saying it is “totally inappropriate” for Mr Bone to be out canvassing on Saturday. She asked whether it was sanctioned by Tory HQ.
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"This whole sorry affair speaks to the abject lack of integrity left within the Parliamentary Conservative Party," she said. "No one should have to suffer the abuse detailed in the investigation into his alleged conduct. It is extremely disappointing that Conservative MPs like Tom Pursglove appear not to agree."
In a letter to the PM she asked whether the party sanctioned Mr Bone joining Mr Pursglove. She wrote: "If not, what action will be taken against Tom Pursglove? Will he retain the Conservative whip and his ministerial post? If so, what does this say about the Conservative Party’s attitude towards these allegations and victims of such abuse?"
A parliamentary sleaze investigation found a fortnight ago that Mr Bone had trapped an aide in a Madrid hotel room in 2013 and exposed his private parts to him. A watchdog said he had repeatedly asked his researcher to give him massages and threw pens and other office equipment at him. In one incident, Mr Bone is alleged to have struck the aide on the back of his head and told him: “You’re having a thick day and I thought that would help”.
The Commons accepted the findings of the report on Wednesday evening and Mr Bone was handed a six-week suspension, which could lead to him facing a by-election. Despite this, Mr Bone joined Mr Pursglove, 34, campaigning in Corby, Northamptonshire, on Saturday. Mr Pursglove, who has been an MP since 2015, is a former Vice Chair of the Conservative Party. He worked as a Home Office minister before being moved to the Department for Work and Pensions a year ago.
Mr Pursglove refused to justify his decision to campaign with a shamed MP when confronted by the Sunday Mirror. Asked if he thought it was appropriate to be out canvassing with Mr Bone, he remained silent.
The latest sleaze row comes after the Tories were rocked by the arrest of ex-minister Crispin Blunt on suspicion of rape and the use of controlled substances. The Reigate MP confirmed he had twice been interviewed by police, but says he is confident he won’t be charged.
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