Tory MP sacked for allegedly ‘touching a man’s thigh’ at a hotel bar is ‘in line for a knighthood’ in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours
- Conor Burns, sacked over allegations of misconduct, had the whip removed
- He is said to be in line fro a knighthood in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours
- Witnesses claimed they saw Mr Burns touch a young man’s thigh at a hotel bar
A Minister sacked over allegations of misconduct is said to be in line for a knighthood in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours.
Conor Burns was stripped of his government post and had the Tory whip removed after witnesses claimed he touched a young man’s thigh at a hotel bar last week.
On the same day the former trade minister reportedly learned he was set for the honour.
The potential knighthood leaves Liz Truss in an awkward position as he could receive it while under investigation by Conservative Party headquarters.
Conor Burns was stripped of his government post and had the Tory whip removed after witnesses claimed he touched a young man’s thigh at a hotel bar last week
Yesterday Cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi backed the PM’s decision to ‘swiftly’ sack Mr Burns, who he said had been treated fairly.
The alleged incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday in a hotel bar in Birmingham during the Tory party conference.
Mr Burns has protested his innocence. Number 10 declined to comment.
Zahawi suggested the PM will make a ‘further decision’ when the investigation is complete.
The Conservative Party has suspended the whip from Mr Burns while it looks into allegations he put his hand on the thigh of a young man at the conference in Birmingham last week.
The MP has vowed to clear his name and said he will ‘fully co-operate’ with the inquiry.
Asked on Times Radio today whether he thought the process was fair to Mr Burns, Mr Zahawi said: ‘I do. I think there’s an investigation being carried out.
‘The Prime Minister acted swiftly on this and let’s wait to see the outcome of the investigation.’
Challenged on whether it would have been right to suspend Mr Burns as a minister, rather than sack him, Mr Zahawi said: ‘I think it’s important that she took a decision on this and that the investigation will then report back and then she will make a further decision on this.’
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