A senior Tory MP today failed to give his full confidence to Andrew Mitchell as he struggles to cling onto his job as Chief Whip.
The Tory backbench 1922 Committee will discuss the matter tomorrow and vice-chairman John Whittingdale said: “It is a matter ultimately for the Prime Minister and my colleagues will undoubtedly be taking soundings and will let the Prime Minister know the views of the parliamentary party.”
Mr Mitchell has been battling to keep his Cabinet job for more than three weeks now after allegedly calling police “f***ing plebs”. He denies using the term pleb.
Asked on Sky News whether he had confidence in Mr Mitchell as Chief Whip, Mr Whittingdale said: “I think he is an experienced member of the whips’ office. He has served there in the past. He is well equipped to do the job.
“I think all of us hoped that he could draw a line under it. It is distressing that it doesn’t yet appear possible to do that but I hope that it can be done.”
He pointedly did not say he had confidence in Mr Mitchell.
