Met Police refuse to investigate claims of blackmail in Downing Street after quizzing Tory MPs
Met police say they are NOT investigating claims that No 10 blackmailed MPs wanting to remove Boris Johnson from office, as it says ‘no criminal offences have been identified’ after officers speak with Tory backbencher William Wragg
Met Police say no investigation into No 10 blackmail allegations necessary William Wragg said embarrassing stories about Tory rebels were leaked to press Boris Johnson has consistently said he has ‘seen no evidence’ of blackmail
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The Met Police will not be investigating allegations that No 10 ‘blackmailed’ MPs who were said to be plotting to remove Boris Johnson from office, it was revealed today.
Scotland Yard said that no investigation was necessary because ‘no criminal offences have been identified’ after backbencher William Wragg claimed embarrassing stories about Tory rebels were leaked to the press by ministers.
Mr Wragg said Downing Street staff and ministers had been ‘encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those who they suspect of lacking confidence in the Prime Minister’.
The senior Tory and vice chair of the 1922 committee had said the allegations ‘seem to constitute blackmail’. MailOnline understands he spoke directly with Met Police officers about his claims.
But Scotland Yard said on Wednesday that after assessment by specialist detectives, there had been no forthcoming evidence of ‘inappropriate influence being exerted on MPs’.
The Metropolitan Police will not be investigating allegations that No 10 ‘blackmailed’ MPs who were said to be plotting to remove Boris Johnson from office
Mr Johnson has consistently said he has ‘seen no evidence’ to support claims of ‘blackmail’ in Downing Street
On January 20, Mr Wragg said Number 10 had threatened to withdraw funding to his and other backbenchers’ constituencies if they did not withdraw their opposition to Mr Johnson.
‘The intimidation of a member of Parliament is a serious matter, the reports of which I’m aware would seem to constitute blackmail.’
‘As such it would be my general advice to colleagues to report these matters to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police.’
Christian Wakeford, the MP who defected from the Tories to Labour in protest at Mr Johnson’s leadership and the row over Downing Street parties, had also said he was threatened about the loss of a school in his constituency if he did not toe the line.
On January 20, William Wragg said Number 10 had threatened to withdraw funding to his and other backbenchers’ constituencies if they did not withdraw their opposition to Mr Johnson
Other rebels, dubbed ‘Pork Pie Plotters’ were also said to be considering publishing messages they received from party whips which they believe will prove the Tory leadership attempted to blackmail and intimidate them into submission.
The Prime Minister said he had ‘seen no evidence’ to support those claims.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘We can confirm that the MPS has received information related to concerns of inappropriate influence being exerted on Members of Parliament.
‘The information has been carefully assessed by specialist detectives who have determined that no criminal offences have been identified and therefore no investigation will be commenced.
‘Should further significant information become available it will be considered.’
Mr Wragg, who is one of the Conservative MPs to have called for the Prime Minister’s resignation, said he was ‘grateful at being asked to meet with the Metropolitan Police Service’, adding: ‘Colleagues shouldn’t accept intimidation and threats as par for the course in fulfilling their role.’
