A Tory MP who reportedly asked an alleged victim of Chris Pincher if she was gay has been appointed as a minister in Boris Johnson’s cabinet.
Sarah Dines, who was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly at the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), is said to have told the accuser that his case was not “simple” based on his sexuality.
The Sunday Times reported claims that Ms Dines – then an assistant whip – witnessed the alleged assault at London’s exclusive Carlton club last week, then asked the accuser if he was gay.
The alleged victim told the paper: “I was a bit taken aback by it and I said, ‘What does that have to do with it? But yes, I am.
“And her words were, ‘Well, that doesn’t make it clear.’ She saw everything, that’s why I’m so angry.
Ms Dines, the Derbyshire Dales MP, is said to have later escalated the matter by reporting the alleged incident to her superiors.
Her reported comments were put to Mr Johnson as he was questioned by the House of Commons Liaison Committee earlier this week, with Labor MP Chris Bryant asking if they amounted to “victim shaming”.
Mr Johnson said he had not spoken to Ms Dines about the matter, but said: “I doubt very much that Sarah meant it that way.”
Mr Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip last Thursday after allegedly assaulting two fellow guests at the Carlton Club the night before.
He ordered his suspension from the Conservatives the day after a formal complaint was made to the parliamentary watchdog, which looks into allegations of abuse, harassment or sexual misconduct, and now faces an investigation.
Mr Pincher said at the weekend he was “truly sorry” for the upset he caused after he had “too much to drink” that Wednesday and pledged to co-operate fully with the investigation, adding that he was seeking “professional medical attention”.
Downing Street initially said Mr Johnson was unaware of previous allegations against Mr Pincher, but the outgoing prime minister later admitted he had been made aware of inappropriate behavior dating back to 2019.
Mr Johnson said he regretted keeping him in government after that point.
The row over the Pincher scandal unleashed a wave of pent-up frustration with Mr Johnson’s leadership, culminating in mass resignations and ultimately the prime minister’s downfall.
In addition to Ms Dines’ new role, Downing Street announced six new appointments on Friday afternoon. Richard Fuller has been appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Stuart Andrew has been appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice and Alan Mack is now Treasury Secretary to the Treasury.
Rehman Chisti, Leah Nici and Brendan Clarke-Smith have been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State at the Foreign Office, the Department for Upgrading, Housing and Communities and the Department for Education respectively.
Ms Dines has been approached for comment.
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