have we learnt anything more from chris pincher. anything more from chris pincher himself? i anything more from chris pincher himself? ., _, ., himself? i tried to contact him and i ut himself? i tried to contact him and i put these — himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to _ himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. _ himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. he _ himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. he hasn't - himself? i tried to contact him andj i put these to him. he hasn't come back to me on that but we know he has told the newspaper is that he denies all of these allegations. we did hear a little bit earlierfrom him in a statement in which he said that he wasn't thinking of resigning as an mp, he was seeking professional medical help and wanted to return to his constituency mp role as soon as possible and would help with the parliamentary inquiry thatis help with the parliamentary inquiry that is now under way. is help with the parliamentary inquiry that is now under way.— that is now under way. is the pm

chris pincher, of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher. the _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp for _ of the front pages tomorrow. chris pincher, the mp for tamworth, and the deputy— pincher, the mp for tamworth, and the deputy chief whip, has been accused — the deputy chief whip, has been accused of bad behaviour towards two people _ accused of bad behaviour towards two people come and allegations have been made against him. under comments in the papers today that the conservative party didn't move fast enough to discipline him, given the circumstances of the allegations. he has said that she is seeking _ allegations. he has said that she is seeking medical help with the issues, — seeking medical help with the issues, and has denied some of the allegations, but certainly it is the latest _ allegations, but certainly it is the latest in — allegations, but certainly it is the latest in a — allegations, but certainly it is the latest in a series of difficult stories— latest in a series of diffic

chris pincher has denied the l ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations _ ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against _ ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against him. - ago. chris pincher has denied the allegations against him. tonight l ago. chris pincher has denied the i allegations against him. tonight the man who one day would like to move into number ten himself sees his opponent in peril. this government is collapsing. _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the _ opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the tory - opponent in peril. this government is collapsing, and the tory cabinet | is collapsing, and the tory cabinet members — is collapsing, and the tory cabinet members have been backing boris johnson _ members have been backing boris johnson through this, the tory party is corrupted — johnson through this, the tory party is corrupted and we need notjust a change _ is corrupted and we need notjust a change at _ is corrupted and we need notjus

hejust the mp chris pincher. he just told the mp chris pincher. he just told the bbc in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do and there was no place in the government for predatory behaviour. chris pincher resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct and he's now been suspended from the conservative party. since the allegations emerged, there's been a growing row over when mrjohnson was aware of the allegations. it was confirmed today by one minister that mr johnson had been told before appointing him. the prime minister made the comments to chris mason. do you accept this was a grave error? , . i think it was a mistake and i apologise. in hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do. i apologise to everyone who's been badly affected by it. ijust want everyone who's been badly affected by it. i just want to everyone who's been badly affected by it. ijust want to make absolutely clear that there is no place in this government for anybody who is predatory and abuses their position of power. did who is predatory and abuses their position of power.—

will you suspend chris pincher? numberl you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted — you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris _ you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson - you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson had - you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted boris johnson had not l ten insisted borisjohnson had not been wear of specific allegations about chris pincher. but a conservative mp said concerns had been raised with downing street. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped boris johnson keep hisjob earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night. there was considerable pressure from senior tories, for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that chris pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said having heard that a formal complaint has been made, the prime minister has agreed that the whip should be suspended fr

yeah, i think, chris pincher, it was _ think, chris pincher, it was interesting, in that it was known in politics and in the media that there was question marks over chris pincher�*s character, he had resigned already. everybody knew there was issues with chris pincher when he was made a whip and nothing happened then. i think the real issue is borisjohnson's inability to tell a boris johnson's inability to tell a straight story and, borisjohnson's inability to tell a straight story and, yeah, i think that, with every passing day, it appears he is again failing to be straight with the electorate. that is damaging. qm. straight with the electorate. that is damaging-— straight with the electorate. that is damaging. straight with the electorate. that is damauain. ., is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am ve sor , is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry. political — is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor _ is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor of - is damaging. 0k, john ferguson, i am very sorry, political editor of the -

i the character traits that chris pincher had.— the character traits that chris pincher had. ., ~ , ., pincher had. i do think there is a dancer in pincher had. i do think there is a danger in politics _ pincher had. i do think there is a danger in politics sometimes - pincher had. i do think there is a | danger in politics sometimes that people are pricey purely for their loyalty? i people are pricey purely for their lo al ? ~ ., , people are pricey purely for their loal? ~ _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at the _ loyalty? i think that is horribly obvious at the moment. -- i loyalty? i think that is horribly l obvious at the moment. -- they loyalty? i think that is horribly - obvious at the moment. -- they are obvious at the moment. —— they are priced purely for their loyalty. any decision not to sack chris pincher immediately. it was, one must conclude, because of his loyalty to the prime minister and equally his behaviour with owen paterson when it was generally felt that the man really had to go. borisjohnson wanted to

pincher as a pound — alex story described chris pincher as a pound shop harvey weinstein after— as a pound shop harvey weinstein after he _ as a pound shop harvey weinstein after he claimed he had been groped. there _ after he claimed he had been groped. there had _ after he claimed he had been groped. there had been other allegations about— there had been other allegations about chris pincher, the claim, a senior— about chris pincher, the claim, a senior government source saying the claim _ senior government source saying the claim that _ senior government source saying the claim that boris did not know there are allegations of sexual impropriety seem to be pretty tenuous _ impropriety seem to be pretty tenuous. i mean, apparently he made a joke _ tenuous. i mean, apparently he made a joke about _ tenuous. i mean, apparently he made a joke about it and also made a joke about— a joke about it and also made a joke about he _ a joke about it and also made a joke about he knew that all of the hansie, _ about he knew that all of the hansie, sex pest mps were on his side _ hansie, s

chris pincher resigned from his job _ accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as _ accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as deputy - accurate. chris pincher resigned from his job as deputy chief - accurate. chris pincher resigned. from his job as deputy chief whip last thursday. he has denied the misconduct allegations against him and is seeking professional medical support. number10's and is seeking professional medical support. number 10's line has changed several times since then. first, it said the prime minister was not aware of allegations involving mr pincher when he was given thejob in february. but yesterday, downing street said boris johnson was aware of some allegations that were either resolved or did not turn into a formal complaint. lord mcdonald' intervention contradicts that claim and some of borisjohnson�*s own backbenchers are exasperated. it does appear ministers of the crown have been lied to by people in downing street before being sent out onto the media. i downing street before being sent out onto the media.— onto the media. i called the dep

pincher— appointment in february of chris pincher to— appointment in february of chris pincher to the deputy chief whip, eyebrows— pincher to the deputy chief whip, eyebrows were raised. when it was put to— eyebrows were raised. when it was put to the — eyebrows were raised. when it was put to the ethics committee, they couldn't— put to the ethics committee, they couldn't find any formal record or notification on chris pincher's record — notification on chris pincher's record. therefore, they couldn't do anything _ record. therefore, they couldn't do anything because everything else was 'ust a anything because everything else was just a rumour. that has clearly got to change — just a rumour. that has clearly got to change. is just a rumour. that has clearly got to chance. , , just a rumour. that has clearly got to change-— to change. is interesting that the headhnes to change. is interesting that the headlines really _ to change. is interesting that the headlines really seem _ to change. is interesting that the headlines really seem to - to change. is interesting that th

pincher, more mess around _ today with chris pincher, more mess around that, — today with chris pincher, more mess around that, around disciplinary issues _ around that, around disciplinary issues and _ around that, around disciplinary issues and the lack of disciplinary action— issues and the lack of disciplinary action there, but also the pressure that comes — action there, but also the pressure that comes from the cost of living crisis _ that comes from the cost of living crisis and — that comes from the cost of living crisis and whether that was handled well or— crisis and whether that was handled well or whether they keep announcing new measures that don't seem to be enough _ new measures that don't seem to be enough each time and then they have to make _ enough each time and then they have to make a _ enough each time and then they have to make a new announcement. all these _ to make a new announcement. all these things accumulate and more pressure _ these things accumulate and more pressure is — these things accumulate and more pressure is going to build. i think certai

chris pincher has resigned and boris johnson wants to move on. some of his own mps are not allowing him to do so. two former ministers have written to the chief whip today saying the serious reputational damage being done to the party over this and more generally, they are calling for a new code of conduct to be imposed on conservative mps. although the prime minister would like to move on, questions are being raised about how he puts his own party in order. thank you. iain watson. the latest figures for covid—i9 in the uk show another big rise in infections in the last week — they�*re up by almost a third. our health editor hugh pym joins me now — hugh, a big jump in the numbers? that is right. this survey by the ons involves regular testing of households and is seen as the most authoritative guide. the headline is 2.3 million people in the uk had the virus last week, up 32% week on week. pretty significant but still only about half what it was in late march. scotland had the highest rate in the uk. hospital numbers, in england, this is

yeah, and ifelt sorry had been made against chris pincher. yeah, and i felt sorry for therese coffey today because she was sent out into the firing line to try and defend member of the government that she was not the one who appointed him. but i think it's important for the viewer to understand there is a huge difference between hearing allegation to get someone and then being able to prove the allegations and prove them to the satisfaction of the lawyers. so what i think what you were sitting across a piece todayis you were sitting across a piece today is lots ofjournalists who known about this allegations against chris pincher and probably failed as a no half a dozen of my colleagues have to stand them up and are now having a licence to try and at least print some of it. but like i said, chris pincher is the fifth or sixth conservative mp in the last few months you have been taken off a roll or reside over sexual misconduct. and i think by the weight notjust the conservatives. the snp in labour party have both had similar cases the last yea

pincher, _ interested in protecting chris pincher, a numberten source interested in protecting chris pincher, a number ten source on thursday— pincher, a number ten source on thursday saying that it was right that he — thursday saying that it was right that he sit down as deputy chief whip _ that he sit down as deputy chief whip but — that he sit down as deputy chief whip but has he done the kind of dignified — whip but has he done the kind of dignified and right thing that it was proper that he status of taurean p and _ was proper that he status of taurean p and i_ was proper that he status of taurean p and i think that isjust extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond _ extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond to— extraordinarily inappropriate way to respond to this and throughout these problems. _ respond to this and throughout these problems, it always seems to be that the victims _ problems, it always seems to be that the victims are not the people that are heard — the victims are not the people that are heard first, it's the political parties — are heard fir

this is chris pincher. until yesterday, hisjob was this is chris pincher. until yesterday, his job was to enforce discipline among conservative mps. but last night he resigned his government role after allegations that he had groped two men. mr chris pincher had been drinking here, a private members club in london with the conservative politicians. he admitted drinking too much and said he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things _ he had embarrassed himself. we take all of these things incredibly - all of these things incredibly seriously. nobody... my first reaction to when i heard this last night was one of sadness but here we have again in this country. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. the prime minister was back in downing street today, meeting new zealand's premier. will you suspend chris pincher? number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been aware of specific allegations about mr pincher when he was promoted earlier this year. but a conservative mp said co

chris pincher worked hard to keep borisjohnson in office during partygate. he became deputy chief whip in february and was responsible for party discipline. but his own lack of discipline on wednesday led to this letter of resignation on thursday. chris pincher was said by witnesses to be drinking heavily at a reception at this conservative private members' club in central london. the more serious allegation that came to light is that he groped two men. downing street does not believe that further action is necessary following the resignation and he can continue as mp but critics say he should be shown the door. government ministers insist the allegations are being taken seriously. all i want to say and i want to stress this, is we take all of these things incredibly seriously. my first reaction when i heard this last night was one of sadness and frustration that here we are again in this position. it is absolutely beholden on us to make sure that we do these things properly from the point of view of the victims. questions have been raised here at westminste

there were - allegations about chris pincher made backin allegations about chris pincher made back in the theresa may government, which he denied. when investigated they were found to not be correct. he was promoted and became a minister. 0n the specific allegations, the prime minister did not know and i think he as soon as he found out acted decisively. there are also claims _ he found out acted decisively. there are also claims the _ he found out acted decisively. there are also claims the prime _ he found out acted decisively. there are also claims the prime minister referred to pincher by name, picture by nature. downing street hasn't denied that. number 10 said it wasn't appropriate to stop his appointment because of unsubstantiated allegations. we've not a prime unsubstantiated allegations. we've got a prime minister _ unsubstantiated allegations. we've got a prime minister with _ unsubstantiated allegations. we've got a prime minister with no - got a prime minister with no judgment is consistently putting his own interest before the interest of the country. so this is a very, v

have we heard i anything more from chris pincher himself? i anything more from chris pincher himself? , ., ., himself? i try to contact him and ut these himself? i try to contact him and put these to _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he _ himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he has - himself? i try to contact him and put these to him, he has not - himself? i try to contact him and l put these to him, he has not come back to me on that, but we know that he has told the newspaper is that he denies all of these allegations. we heard earlier from denies all of these allegations. we heard earlierfrom him in a statement in which he said he was not thinking of resigning as an mp, he was seeking professional medical help and wanted to return to his constituency mp role as soon as possible and would cooperate with the parliamentary inquiry under way. and is the pm likely to face more questions about how he has dealt with all of this?— with all of this? absolute

mark dabbs met chris pincher in 2018 when he was working on a project about politicians. but shortly after they were introduced mark said he was touched inappropriately by the mp. when we were walking out and he was asking me if i was a runner, and i told him, and he said, you must have a lot of stamina. and then he was almost like giving me the come on. and he's feeling my leg and saying, you must be muscular, like that. that immediately makes me worried and thinking that's not right. touching me there, i don't think he should be doing that to someone he's just met. and then when he's outside, he's got his arm round me, and touching me on the bottom. i don't think that should happen either, really. chris pincher strongly denies mark's allegations and says a member of staff was present at all times. mark says he should quit parliament. boris johnson also faces questions after he promoted mr pincher in february. have you turned a blind eye to sleaze, prime minister? number ten conceded today he had known about speculation of sexual misconduct and allegations number ten sai

pincher was a ntinister— 2019 when chris pincher was a minister in— 2019 when chris pincher was a minister in the first office there are allegations that were upheld and those _ are allegations that were upheld and those of— are allegations that were upheld and those of the prime minister was made aware _ those of the prime minister was made aware of _ those of the prime minister was made aware of. . ., , those of the prime minister was made aware of. . . , �* , those of the prime minister was made aware of. . . , �*, ., ., ~' those of the prime minister was made aware of. . . , �*, ., aware of. crucially, let's look at some of the _ aware of. crucially, let's look at some of the other _ aware of. crucially, let's look at some of the other papers. - aware of. crucially, let's look at| some of the other papers. there aware of. crucially, let's look at - some of the other papers. there also is a place was up the times, i will come back to you benedict on this was mcdonald's intervention very damning and said the whole thing worth pointing out today that both men which he is no fan fr

after having the web suspended chris pincher is now| web suspended chris pincher is now sitting as an independent mp. the behaviour of elected representatives is in the spotlight again. the number of people catching covid is on the rise again in the uk. with little testing going on — the most reliable way to find out how many people have coronavirus is from the weekly survey by the office for national statistics. and the latest estimates today suggest the numbers havejumped by almost a third in a week, to two—point—three million. our health editor hugh pym has the details. there are further sharp increases in covid infections, driven by variants of omicron known as baa and ba5 which spread more rapidly. case rates rose in all the uk's nations, with scotland still the highest. but if you look back at previous covid numbers, the latest level of infections is still less than half what it was in march, and lower than january. so where will it go from here? portugal had a big rise in infection, that is coming down, the second feature may be to do with our behaviour and interaction wi

borisjohnson�*s decision to appoint chris pincher as deputy chief whip is facing further scrutiny — as a former top civil servant at the foreign office, lord mcdonald writes to the parliamentary standards commissioner this morning, saying that borisjohnson was briefed in person about an investigation into chris pincher�*s conduct as a foreign office minister. downing street had previously claimed that the prime minister wasn't aware of any specific allegations against mr pincher when he was appointed in february. but the bbc learned last night that boris johnson and the foreign secretary at the time, dominic raab, both knew about the issue. mr pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last thursday and was suspended as a conservative party mp after being accused of groping two men. chris pincher was appointed a foreign office minister injuly 2019 by mrjohnson, and stayed in the post until february 2020. during his time as a foreign office minister, an official complaint was raised about mr pincher for inappropriate behaviour. this triggered a process, overseen by the cabinet office, whic

the headlines at 2pm: six new claims of inappropriate behaviour by former deputy chief whip chris pincher have emerged, days after he was suspended as a tory mp after allegations he groped two men. russia says it now controls the whole of the luhansk region in eastern ukraine, but ukrainian officials say they can't confirm the reports. thousands of residents in australia's largest city sydney have been ordered to evacuate their homes after torrential rain and flash flooding. the influential british theatre director peter brook, who's career ranged from radical interpretations of shakespeare to broadway musicals, has died at the age of 97. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. six new claims of inappropriate behaviour by the former deputy chief whip chris pincher have emerged, days after he was suspended as a tory mp over allegations he groped two men. mr pincher denies the latest claims, which are reported in several sunday newspapers. borisjohnson is facing questions about how much he knew when he appointed the mp as the deputy chief whip in february. here's our political correspondent

chris _ frustrating. in a statement released yesterday, chris pincher— frustrating. in a statement released yesterday, chris pincher said... - frustrating. in a statement releasedi yesterday, chris pincher said... and that he was in the process of seeking that now. he said he hoped to return to his constituency duties soon. he has agreed to stay away from parliament while he is investigated by its independent complaints and grievances scheme. the russian defence ministry says its troops have gained control of the eastern ukrainian region of luhansk. moscow's forces had been encircling lysychansk, the last city in the area which was being defended by ukraine. earlier, we spoke with yuriy sak, spokesman for the ukrainian ministry of defence who countered russia's claim. we've been hearing these claims, actually, from yesterday, and these claims have not been confirmed yet by the ukraine's general staff, the armed forces of ukraine, neither by the local administration and authorities. what we can say with certainty, of course, is the situation in lysychansk has been ver

pincher as deputy chief work backin chris pincher as deputy chief work back in february after fresh allegations emerged about the behaviour of the mp. i am joined by jonathan hazlitt, former director of communications to former prime ministerjohn major. thank you for joining us this evening. the focus of a number of front pages with regard to the chris pincher story has been a question of how the prime minister manage this, what he knew and when, so how problematic is this what the prime minister? it is and when, so how problematic is this what the prime minister?— what the prime minister? it is quite difficult in many _ what the prime minister? it is quite difficult in many respects. - what the prime minister? it is quite difficult in many respects. it - what the prime minister? it is quite difficult in many respects. it is - difficult in many respects. it is about chris pincher and his behaviour but, more than that, it moves very quickly as others have said into the prime minister's judgment. i think it is hard to believe that he didn't have something of an inkling as to the nat

have we learnt anything more from chris pincher himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. he hasn't come back to me on that but we know he has told the newspapers that he denies all of these allegations. we did hear a little bit earlier from him in a statement in which he said that he wasn't thinking of resigning as an mp, he was seeking professional medical help and wanted to return to his constituency mp role as soon as possible and would help with the parliamentary inquiry that is now under way. president biden has warned that states passing strict anti—abortion laws will try to jail women who choose to travel to get abortions. and he promised the federal government will act to protect women's rights to travel. he was speaking at a virtual meeting with democratic state governors. extremist governors try to stop a woman from travelling to a state that prohibits her from seeking the medical help she needs to state that provides eye care, the federal government will act to protect her bedrock rights to the attorney generalï¿

will you suspend chris pincher? ibis lacking? will you suspend chris pincher? �* , lacking? will you suspend chris pincher? ~ , ., pincher? as you can hear there, reporters _ pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps _ pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps slightly - pincher? as you can hear there, reporters perhaps slightly less i reporters perhaps slightly less interested in the meeting between borisjohnson and the prime minister of new zealand, jacinda ahern and more interested in the resignation of chris pincher. we thought we would bring you those pictures to keep you up dated. let�*s get more now on the ceremony that�*s taken place in hong kong to mark 25 years since the end of british colonial rule in hong kong. the chinese president, xijinping, led the commemorations and in his speech said true democracy began after the territory was handed back to china. britain and the us have accused beijing of failing to live up to the promises it made in 1997 to respect hong kong�*s freedoms. lord chris patten was the last governor of hong kong and was

that is the latest on the chris pincher affair at the moment. chris pincher, who has resigned as deputy chief whip and borisjohnson under some pressure to suspend them from the conservative parliamentary party, to suspend as a tory mp. let�*s get more now on the ceremony that�*s taken place in hong kong to mark 25 years since the end of british colonial rule in hong kong. the chinese president, xijinping, led the commemorations and in his speech said true democracy began after the territory was handed back to china. britain and the us have accused beijing of failing to live up to the promises it made in 1997 to respect hong kong�*s freedoms. lord chris patten was the last governor of hong kong and was at the handover ceremony in 1997. he spoke to my colleague annita mcveigh earlier and reflected on what he said that day. saying that it was now hong kong�*s destiny to be run by the people of hong kong have turned to ashes, because hong kong was once one of the freest, arguably the freest and most open society in asia and it has now been t

have we learnt anything more from chris pincher himself? i tried to contact him and i put these to him. it's day six of the wimbledon championships and there's just been a major upset in the women's tournament with the top seed iga swee—ontek defeated 6—4 6—2 in the third round by alize cornet of france. earlier on centre court coco gauff was also knocked out of the tournament while rafael nadal will be in action later. chet—an pa—tak from bbc sport is at the tournment and told us about the earlier upsets. chetan patak from bbc sport is at the tournment and told us about the earlier upsets. is at the tournment and told us for the we have seen the upset of the championship so far, the world number one and number one seed knocked out in the third round. that incredible 37 match winning streak comes to an and as the french woman who is 32 now came onto the radar back in 2014 by knocking out the den world number one serena williams has now got that stand out result in her wimbledon resume by knocking out her opponent in three sets. sh

reporter: will you i suspend chris pincher? it's been claimed downing street was warned about mr pincher�*s behaviour before he was given a governmentjob. number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been made aware of specific allegations. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped borisjohnson keep his job earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night, there was considerable pressure from senior tories for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that mr pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said... the right thing has happened. what i think is sad is that it took all day for borisjohnson to show any leadership and borisjohnson has now decided that the best thing for borisjohnson is for chris pincher to lose the whip. but some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegations not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus both work for mps

i do not behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think— behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone _ behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone disputed - behaviour by chris pincher. correct. i do not think anyone disputed that | i do not think anyone disputed that it was inappropriate what took place but it did not trip wire or meat threshold for any formal action either under the foreign office's complaints or disciplinary process or indeed under the ministerial code at cabinet office level. so or indeed under the ministerial code at cabinet office level.— at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, — at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the prime _ at cabinet office level. so you knew about this, did the prime minister. about this, did the prime minister know? i about this, did the prime minister know? ,., ., know? i reported it to the chief whi i , know? i reported it to the chief whip. which — know? i

wasn't just this particular matter that chris pincher incident... people coming out, representing the government, telling the public things that when it turns out the facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. ~ ., facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. ~ . ., ., facts emerge, the explanation is untrue. . ., ., untrue. what about the role of the former senior _ untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil _ untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil servant, - untrue. what about the role of the former senior civil servant, simon | former senior civil servant, simon mcdonald, who has questioned downing street's account of what has happened and said effectively that it's untrue? it's very unusual to have a senior official speak out like this. was he duty—bound to do so, do you think? i like this. was he duty-bound to do so, do you think?— so, do you think? i think he was. you're right _ so, do you think? i think he was. you're right to _ so, do you think? i think he was. you're right to say _ so, do you think? i think he was.

chris pincher resigned from hisjob as deputy chief whip last thursday. he has denied the misconduct allegations against him and is seeking professional medical support. number ten's line has changed several times since then. first, it said the prime minister was not aware of allegations involving mr pincher when he was given thejob in february. but yesterday, downing street said borisjohnson was aware of some allegations that were either resolved or did not turn into a formal complaint. lord mcdonald's intervention contradicts that claim and some of borisjohnson�*s own backbenchers are exasperated. it does appear that ministers of the crown have been lied to by people in downing street before being sent out onto the media. i call the deputy- leader, angela ranger. in the commons this lunchtime, labour said this was all about borisjohnson�*s judgment. what message, mr speaker, does this send about the standards of this government and what they set? what message does this send to the british people facing a cost—of—living crisis while their governm

message from number 10 has developed since last thursday when chris pincher resigned, saying he had drank too much the previous night and embarrassed himself. it was alleged he had groped two men. in the following days: but on sunday and monday morning, ministers continued to stress that borisjohnson was not aware of specific allegations when he gave chris pincher his most recent governmentjob. it was a development later on monday when downing street revealed the prime minister was previously aware of reports and speculation nothing firmer than that. then last night, the bbc revealed the formal complaint that had been brought to boris johnson's attention. you that had been brought to boris johnson's attention.— johnson's attention. you know how important— johnson's attention. you know how important a _ johnson's attention. you know how important a role - johnson's attention. you know how important a role with - how important a role with has... ~ , �* , has... the prime minister's eliza defending _ has... the prime minister's eliza defending his - has... the prime minister's| eliza d

the conservative mp, chris pincher, who is under investigation for allegedly groping two men says he's seeking "professional medical support" and hopes to return to his duties as an mp "as soon as possible". more than a million people have gathered on the streets on london for pride — as the lgbt plus community marks 50 years since the first march. and we'll be taking an in—depth look at the papers with our reviewers lucy beresford and joe twyman — stay with us for that. good evening. there are warnings of further disruption for air travellers this summer with more flights expected to be cancelled in the next few days — including at heathrow, britain's busiest airport. it's thought airlines will change their summer schedules, with the aim of giving passengers more certainty and less need for last minute cancellations. paul charles is a travel industry consultant with the pc agency. he says this year's passengers will face a disappointing summer over the next eight weeks. i'm afraid this is going to be a summer of stress after two years where many of us have been unable to trave

the prime minister has not been aware of specific allegations against chris pincher. as people will know, chris underwent an investigation, back in 2017, after a formal allegation was made, he was investigated and theresa may reappointed him, that promoted him to the role of deputy chief whip at that time, but since then, chris has continued to serve in a government and what it is important to think about what has happened in the last week, specific allegations were made, and very proactive decision was made to remove the whip, as well as chris had already resigned from government. boris johnson's pledge to build a0 new hospitals by 2030 is facing a review from the government's spending watchdog. the national audit office intends to conduct a "value for money review" later this year. the bbc understands only five nhs trusts are currently building a new hospital. labour accused the tories of "overpromising and underdelivering". the department of health and social care said the first of the a0 new hospitals "opened for patients last year and a further six are under cons

reporter: will you i suspend chris pincher? it's been claimed downing street was warned about mr pincher�*s behaviour before he was given a governmentjob. number ten insisted borisjohnson had not been made aware of specific allegations. chris pincher was one of the conservative mps who helped borisjohnson keep hisjob earlier this year. it was one of the reasons he was promoted to government. but after the allegations of groping emerged last night, there was considerable pressure from senior tories for a zero tolerance approach, and tonight it was confirmed that mr pincher would be suspended from the tory party in parliament. a spokeswoman for the chief whip said... the right thing has happened. what i think is sad is that it took all day for borisjohnson to show any leadership and borisjohnson has now decided that the best thing for borisjohnson is for chris pincher to lose the whip. but some parliamentary staff have raised concerns about general allegations not being taken seriously enough. henry and angus both work for mps.

borisjohnson had been told of a similar complaint before he'd given chris pincher a job in his team. but that wasn't the story given to ministers to tell the rest of us. i've been given a categorical assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegation or complaint made against the former deputy chief whip chris pincher. it took a former civil servant to force the government to tell the truth. the categorical assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that i is the way to behave. i found the...the allegations concerning the former deputy chief whip and then the response to that, i just... i'm afraid it was... i'd reached the end of the road. a minister was sent out badly briefed with things which turned out to be untrue, and clearly you can't lie your way through crises, you've got to tell the truth. someone who was a senior minister until a few days ago at least told me you could argue that the mess around chris pincher was sordid but not disastrous — yet it confirmed a view for most people round here that the downing street operation just

i think if you look at the history of chris pincher, there were allegations about chris pincher way backin allegations about chris pincher way back in the theresa may government which he denied when they were investigated and they were found not to be correct and he was then promoted into government and became a minister, so there were of course allegations in the past. 0n the specific allegations, the prime minister did not know, and i think, as soon as he found out, he acted and acted decisively and that is the right thing to do. there is now due process that has to follow and it is right that happens and the investigation takes place, and of course, chris pincher has to answer those questions from the investigators. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent, ben wright, who told me that questions are mounting for the prime minister. there is pressure on him to explain precisely what he knew about allegations surrounding chris pincher�*s behaviour when he appointed him to be deputy chief whip back in february during a mini reshuffle. all of the allegations that have been sloshing

as things stand, chris pincher won�*t face any further action. a senior government source said he was a loyal conservative who recognised he had behaved badly. labour say there are serious questions about how he can remain as a conservative mp. and chris pincher�*s resignation will again raise the issue of standards of conduct at westminster. jonathan blake, bbc news. our political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. good morning. a government source saying as things stand mr pincher won�*t face any further action, but will this align hold, and is there a risk that the prime minister is putting himself in a position of not taking the allegations seriously enough. taking the allegations seriously enou:h. . , ,, enough. certainly downing street told me this _ enough. certainly downing street told me this morning _ enough. certainly downing street told me this morning they - enough. certainly downing street| told me this morning they thought enough. certainly downing street - told me this morning they thought no further action was neces

has he had further conversations _ chris pincher developments. has he had further conversations with - chris pincher developments. has he had further conversations with the l had further conversations with the prime _ had further conversations with the prime minister and is that still his position? — prime minister and is that still his osition? :, , :, ., mr speaker, could i have a reassurance from her majesty's government any proposal for an independence referendum coming forward _ independence referendum coming forward from the scottish government or indeed _ forward from the scottish government or indeed proposed extrapolation of a general— or indeed proposed extrapolation of a general election result will be closely— a general election result will be closely examined within the context of the _ closely examined within the context of the united kingdom law? | closely examined within the context of the united kingdom law? i can reassure him _ of the united kingdom law? i can reassure him that _ of the united kingdom law? i can reassure h

just on the chris pincher allegations- _ of that. just on the chris pincher allegations. the _ of that. just on the chris pincher allegations. the fact _ of that. just on the chris pincher allegations. the fact that - of that. just on the chris pincherl allegations. the fact that beaking on borisjohnson�*s behalf, saying he had never been notified. it took a very senior foreign office minister to stay in effect the prime minister had not told the truth, had lied. now, is that something, you think, the prime minister needs to explain even more now? chris mason was... he couldn�*t remember all the issues, he�*s very busy, but is that excuse enough? he's very busy, but is that excuse enou~h? . . he's very busy, but is that excuse enou~h? ., . . enough? not at all. the prime minister is _ enough? not at all. the prime minister is not _ enough? not at all. the prime minister is not on _ enough? not at all. the prime minister is not on his - enough? not at all. the prime minister is not on his own. i enough? not at all. the prime i minister is not on his own. before he pu

pincher— party seems to be to protect chris pincher and he was seen as someone who is— pincher and he was seen as someone who is very— pincher and he was seen as someone who is very loyal to borisjohnson that's— who is very loyal to borisjohnson that's possibly why he was chosen for this— that's possibly why he was chosen for this role even though it seems like it— for this role even though it seems like it was— for this role even though it seems like it was totally inappropriate that he — like it was totally inappropriate that he be in charge of mps discipline as well as mps welfare and they— discipline as well as mps welfare and they become too slow to remove the tory— and they become too slow to remove the tory whip from them last week of the tory whip from them last week of the allegations came out on thursday and i the allegations came out on thursday and i think— the allegations came out on thursday and i think it should been obvious to most— and i think it should been obvious to most people that he should be suspended as a tory mp but it wasn't until the _ s

the fact the prime minister natalie appointed chris pincher to his government but to the whip's office shows a stunning lack ofjudgment in my opinion. shows a stunning lack of 'udgment in m oinion. ~ . , shows a stunning lack of 'udgment in m oinion. ~ ., , , , my opinion. what is interesting 'ust to come back — my opinion. what is interesting 'ust to come back to fl my opinion. what is interesting 'ust to come back to that i my opinion. what is interesting 'ust to come back to that headline, h

borisjohnson had been told of a similar complaint before he'd given chris pincher a job in his team. but that wasn't the story given to ministers to tell the rest of us. i've been given a categorical assurance that the prime minister was not aware of any specific allegation or complaint made against the former deputy chief whip chris pincher. it took a former civil servant to force the government to tell the truth. the categorical assurance was wrong. what do you make of that? i do not think that is the way to behave. i found the...the allegationsl concerning the former deputy chief whip and then l the response to that, i just... i'm afraid it was... i'd reached the end of the road. - a minister was sent out badly briefed with things which turned out to be untrue, and clearly you can't lie your way through crises, you've got to tell the truth. someone who was a senior minister until a few days ago at least told me you could argue that the mess around chris pincher was sordid but not disastrous — yet it confirmed a view for most people round here that the downing street operation ju