Boris Johnson was \u201cnot aware\u201d of any \u201cspecific\u201d allegations about Chris Pincher when he appointed him deputy chief whip, No.10 has said.<\/p>\n

Pincher resigned from his government<\/a> post maintaining discipline among Conservative MPs on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n

He has been accused of sexually assaulting two male guests<\/a> at the Carlton Club \u2013 a Tory Party private members\u2019 club in London\u2019s Piccadilly, but has been allowed to continue to sit as a Conservative MP.<\/p>\n

Pincher said he had \u201cembarrassed myself and other people\u201d after having had \u201cfar too much\u201d to drink.<\/p>\n

According to Politico, Johnson was made aware of allegations about Pincher\u2019s past behaviour before appointing him deputy chief whip at the last reshuffle in February.<\/p>\n

But No.10 disputed the account. \u201cThe prime minister was not aware of any specific allegations before the appointment,\u201d the PM\u2019s spokesperson said on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no basis to stop the appointment in the absence of any formal complaint.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is the second time Pincher has quit the whips office. He resigned as a junior whip in November 2017 following a complaint that he made an unwanted pass<\/a> at the former Olympic rower and Conservative candidate Alex Story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Boris Johnson avoids questions about Chris Pincher and whether his leadership is lacking, as he welcomes Jacinda Ardern to Downing Street.<\/p>\n

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