Two senior female conservatives on Friday called for ex-chief whip deputy Chris Pincher to be suspended as a Tory MP while an investigation into groping claims is underway.
Caroline Nokes, who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, and Karen Bradley, who heads the Commons Procedure Committee, wrote to Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris demanding a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual misconduct.
They stressed that they were “deeply concerned” that standards of conduct are being upheld in Westminster and accused the Tory party of an “inconsistent and unclear” approach to dealing with sexual misconduct.
They warned Heaton-Harris to avoid any “suspicion of bias” in the way his ex-deputy Mr Pincher, an ally of Boris Johnson, is being treated.
In their letter, they said: “The party and, by extension, the government are at risk of serious reputational damage from the current approach.
“We urge you to act quickly to introduce a code of conduct for all Conservative MPs that is clear in terms of the behavioral expectations that can be applied in a fair, independent manner to avoid any suspicion of bias.”
They added: “In the meantime, we ask that you maintain a zero-tolerance policy on these issues and ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out in any case.
“Once an investigation has been completed, a decision must be made on whether to return the whip, but in the meantime anyone subject to such an investigation will not be allowed to serve as Conservative MPs and represent the party in any capacity. ”
Heaton-Harris and other leading party figures decided on Friday whether to take disciplinary action against Pincher, who later admitted in his resignation that he “embarrassed myself and other people” after drinking “way too much”.
He is accused of assaulting two guests at a private London club, according to The Sun.
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