- Two senior female Tory MPs called for a "zero tolerance" approach toward allegations of sexual misconduct.
- Karen Bradley and Caroline Nokes said MPs should be suspended while claims are investigated.
Two senior female Tories have written to the chief whip calling for a zero-tolerance approach toward MPs accused of sexual misconduct, as Downing Street refused to say if
Karen Bradley, a former Cabinet minister and chair of the procedure committee, and Caroline Nokes, a former Home Office minister and chair of the women and equalities committee, urged Chris Heaton-Harris to suspend MPs under investigation from the Conservative Party.
On Thursday Pincher, a deputy chief whip, quit following several complaints by Tory colleagues to the whip's office, amid claims he drunkenly groped two men.
Pincher didn't directly address the allegations in his resignation letter to Boris Johnson, but said he "drank far too much" and apologised to the prime minister "and to those concerned."
According to The Sun, which first reported the story, Pincher had been suspended from the party because of his swift resignation.
But several Tory MPs said they were outraged by Number 10's inaction, and pointed to Pincher's past form. Two separate allegations had been made against him in 2017.
Separately, another male Conservative MP was arrested on suspicion of "indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust, and misconduct in public office," in mid-May.
Though this person has been asked to stay away from Parliament, he retained the whip and took part in the recent confidence vote against Johnson.
In an open letter, seen by Insider, Bradley and Nokes wrote that they are "deeply concerned that standards of behaviour are upheld across the House."
"Recent incidents have demonstrated an inconsistent and unclear approach by the Party to instances of sexual misconduct," they said. "The Party and, by extension, the Government are at risk of serious reputational damage by the current approach."
The pair called for "a thorough investigation is carried out in each and every case," adding: "Once an investigation has been completed, a decision should be taken about returning the whip, but in the meantime, anyone subject to such an investigation should not be allowed to sit as a Conservative MP and represent the party in any capacity.
"We understand the need for discretion where an allegation is being investigated by the police but would ask that you properly police your request for those involved in such investigations to stay away from Parliament, including not using their proxy votes in Party votes."
Their rallying call has been met by others in the party, who believe Pincher should have the whip withdrawn and even be made to stand down.
One MP told Insider the fact no further action had been taken was "a disgrace."
"Because historic allegations have been known about and nothing has been done, it's almost as if they have to be seen to treat it as if it's the first time they have noticed any of it and therefore the sanctions seem less severe," he said.
It was being seen in a "different light than if it was a pattern of behaviour that people have known about and done nothing about for years," he said.
Another male MP said he had "already started to get emails" from constituents, adding: "If one of us had done it to a woman we would be out of the party."
"The chief is waiting — he wants to be able to say to the PM 'I have to take the whip off him' ... People do genuinely just think he should be gone. It's just more sleaze, and we don't need it and don't want it."
Speaking on Friday, the prime minister's deputy spokesman said Johnson was not aware of any "specific allegation" at the time Pincher was appointed.
He also refused to say whether an investigation would be launched, but indicated that Johnson would not even publish a formal letter in reply to Pincher's resignation.
The spokesman confirmed that the pair had communicated via text messages.