Serious. Tory MP William Wragg accuses govt whips and No 10 of blackmail and breaking ministerial code. Says they’ve threatened to withdraw investment from MPs’ constituencies if they support no confidence. Also threatened with negative press stories.
Mr Wragg advises his colleagues to report such incidents to both the Speaker and the Metropolitan Police.
Leaving aside serious accusations about the ministerial code politically it’s very difficult for a government which says its guiding principle is to levelling up to be accused of threatening to withdraw investment from particular constituencies to save the Prime Minister.
Mr Wragg is no friend of the PM but a governing party MP raising these sorts of concerns is highly unusual.
Whips always deploy what you might call ‘underhand’ tactics when the PM’s back is against the wall. Good or ill that is part of our system. But to directly link public money in constituencies to no confidence votes as Mr Wragg is alleging would be a serious charge indeed.
NEW: No 10 responds to Mr Wragg’s allegations- “We are not aware of any evidence to support what are clearly serious allegations. If there is any evidence to support these claims we would look at it very carefully.”
Mr Speaker @LindsayHoyle_MP responds: “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.”
@lewis_goodall What's new......Another No10 issue of "not being aware / nobody told them." type of reply.
@lewis_goodall These are facts not allegations. It is the threats, intimidation and blackmail are endemic in our parliament. see fvvra.org/party-whips-or…