Sleaze shame Tory MP gets ‘medical help’ and vows he will return to the Commons

THE deputy chief whip suspended for “drunkenly groping two men” at a private members club has admitted he needs help, as it emerged Boris Johnson may have been aware of his problems as far back as 2020.

- David Williamson and Jonathan Walker

Christopher Pincher last night said he would seek medical assistance and hoped to return to his duties as an MP “as soon as possible”.

He said in a statement: “I respect the Prime Minister’s decision to suspend the whip whilst an inquiry is underway, and I will co-operate fully with it.

“As I told the Prime Minister, I drank far too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others, and I am truly sorry for the upset I caused.

“The stresses of the last few days, coming on top of those over the last several months, have made me accept that I will benefit from professional medical support. I am in the process of seeking that now.”

It was claimed last night that Mr Johnson was aware of concerns about Mr Pincher’s behaviour long before appointing him as deputy chief whip in February.

It was reported that the Prime Minister is said to have told aides back in 2020: “He’s handsy, that’s a problem. Pincher by name, pincher by nature.”