Welsh MP claims Boris Johnson himself ‘threatened’ MPs over voting ‘the right way’

[ad_1]

Boris Johnson has threatened to block constituency funding for MPs unless they vote “the right way” as he struggles to keep his job, lawmakers have claimed.

Chris Bryant, MP for Ronda and chair of the Commons Standards Committee, said such behavior should be investigated by police.

Boris Johnson is struggling to save his job amid widespread anger over closed-door parties in Downing Street.

Read more: Boris Johnson denies lying about closing Downing Street park

Chris Bryant is the representative for Rhonda (Image: PA)

Labor MP Mr Bryant said he had spoken to “about a dozen” Conservative MPs in recent days who have been threatened by Tory whips either to withdraw funding from their constituencies or promised funding if they vote “the right way”, The Mirror reported.

“I’ve heard MPs claim that the prime minister himself was doing it,” Bryant said.

“What I have said to all these people is that this is misconduct in public office. The people who should deal with such allegations are the police.”

“It’s illegal,” Bryant added. “We’re supposed to work MPs without fear or favour. Taxpayer funding should be allocated to constituencies as needed, not as needed to keep the prime minister in office.”

“Raising the level of money that has been provided in the past two years is an opportunity for government ministers to corruptly distribute money to some MPs and not to others.”

Beauty spots in Wales were abandoned when Boris Johnson attended a garden party in Downing Street (Photo: Matthew Horwood)

William Wragg, the Conservative MP who initially accused Number 10 of using “blackmail” against rebel MPs who tried to overthrow Boris, revealed that he is meeting with police to discuss his allegations.

William Wragg said he will meet a Scotland Yard detective in the House of Commons early next week, raising the possibility that police will open an investigation.

A No 10 spokesperson said it would not open an investigation unless evidence was presented to support Mr Wragg’s assertions.

The Prime Minister has been warned that alleged threats to cut constituency funds to Tory rebels may be illegal.

The Good Bill sent an advance letter to Boris Johnson over allegations that MPs had been threatened with losing constituency funding if they did not vote as they were told.

Lawyers said the allegations “may amount to misconduct in public office” in a letter to the Prime Minister, Settlement Secretary Michael Gove, Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay and Whip President Mark Spencer.

The letter also demands details of any complaints made by MPs about the alleged threats, and for the government to confirm it is investigating the allegations.

For the latest email updates from WalesOnline, click here.

Read more related articles Read more related articles.

[ad_2]