A senior Conservative MP has accused Number 10 Downing Street of 'blackmailing' fellow MPs over their consideration of removing Boris Johnson.
William Wragg, chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, told MPs this morning that Tory whips, Special Advisors, Ministers, and others had threatened to withdraw funding to constituencies whose MPs did not support the embattled prime minister.
The extraordinary intervention came as calls to remove the prime minister had settled after yesterday's blockbuster PMQs, with many MPs saying they are waiting for the outcome of Sue Gray's investigation.
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Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, William Wragg, Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, said that MPs have faced "pressures and intimidation" because of suspicions that they are seeking a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson.
He accused whips and Downing Street of "threatening to withdraw investments from Members of Parliaments’ constituencies", and encouraged members of had been subject to "blackmail" to contact the police.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner called for the “shocking accusations” of bullying and blackmail to be investigated.
She tweeted: “These are shocking accusations of bullying, blackmail (and) bad behaviour from people in positions of power.
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“We need this to be investigated thoroughly.”
William Wragg said in full: "In recent days a number of Members of Parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the Government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the Prime Minister. It is of course the duty of the whips’ office to secure the Government business in the house of commons.
"However, it is not their function to breach the ministerial code in threatening to withdraw investments from Members of Parliaments’ constituencies which are funded from the public purse.
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"Additionally, reports to me and others of members of staff at Number 10 Downing Street, special advisers, Government ministers and others encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those who suspect lack in confidence in the Prime Minister is similarly unacceptable.
"The intimidation of a member of Parliament is a serious matter. Moreover, reports of which I’m aware would seem to constitute blackmail. As such it would be my general advice to colleagues to report such matters to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. They’re also welcome to contact me at any time."
A No 10 spokesperson said: "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."
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