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Chris Pincher: PM 'bitterly regrets' appointing MP after complaint

Published7 minutes agoSharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Boris Johnson has apologised for appointing Chris Pincher to a government role after being told about a misconduct complaint against the MP.The PM admitted he had been told about the complaint in 2019 - but had made a "bad mistake" by not acting on it.He did not deny jokingly referring to the MP as "Pincher by name Pincher by nature".Mr Pincher was suspended as a Tory MP last week over allegations of sexual misconduct.The Tamworth MP has said he was seeking professional medical support and has denied previous allegations of misconduct. He has been contacted by the BBC for comment about the 2019 complaint but is yet to respond.Lord McDonald's Chris Pincher letter in fullPincher suspended as Tory MP after groping claimPM under renewed pressure over Pincher appointmentSpeaking to BBC political editor Chris Mason, Mr Johnson said he was "fed up with people saying things on my behalf" and wanted to set the record straight.He said he was "aware back in 2019, of a specific allegation against Pincher that was resolved".But in hindsight, Mr Johnson said, appointing Mr Pincher to the role of deputy chief chip in February this year "was the wrong thing to do"."There is no place for anyone in this government who abuses power," Mr Johnson said. He added: "I bitterly regret the decision not to... intervene."No 10 said the PM was told about the 2019 complaint on Tuesday morning after its account was disputed by the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Simon McDonald.In a strongly worded letter, Lord McDonald insisted the prime minister "was briefed in person" about an inquiry into the complaint against Mr Pincher in 2019.Government minister Michael Ellis then told MPs the prime minister "did not immediately recall the conversation in late 2019 about this incident"."As soon as he was reminded, the No 10 press office corrected their public lines," Mr Ellis said.More on this storyLord McDonald's Chris Pincher letter in full8 hours agoPM was briefed on Pincher says Simon McDonald7 hours agoPM was made aware of a formal Pincher complaint11 hours ago

by Fumi Fujisaki - July 5, 2022

Chris Pincher: It was a mistake to appoint him – PM

The prime minister has said it was "a mistake" to appoint Chris Pincher, and it was the “wrong thing to do" to make the MP deputy chief whip.Boris Johnson said the MP had behaved "very, very badly" and apologised to those who has been affected.The PM says a complaint was made against Chris Pincher in the Foreign Office three years ago.Mr Pincher has denied previous allegations of sexual misconduct. The BBC has approached him for a comment about a complaint made about an alleged incident while he was a minister in the Foreign OfficeLIVE: PM did not recall hearing about Pincher complaint - minister

by Fumi Fujisaki - July 5, 2022

Breastfeeding mum told to leave Rhyl swimming pool

Published27 minutes agoSharecloseShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Sarah LappinA woman said she was left feeling humiliated after she was ordered from a swimming pool for breastfeeding.Sarah Lappin had finished a parent-and-toddler swimming session at the pool in Rhyl, Denbighshire, when she began feeding five-month-old son Kalel.But a lifeguard asked the 31-year-old to leave the pool if she wished to continue, even though it is legal to breastfeed in public.Rhyl Leisure Centre bosses have apologised for causing offence.Keen swimmer Ms Lappin said she had breastfed all five of her children in the same pool and was shocked to be told to stop by the lifeguard, who told her: "It's the rules."Breast milk bank opens in SwanseaTaking pictures of breastfeeding mothers in public to be made illegalNHS Wales urged to give autistic mothers better helpMs Lappin carried on feeding Kalel as she felt "there's no such rule"."He whistled at me again, and said I will have to leave if I carry on breastfeeding in the pool," she said."I kept my calm and replied that I can't stop him once he's on. Everyone was looking now."Ms Lappin lodged a complaint with the deputy manager who, she said, told her she would speak with the lifeguard.She said: "I felt so humiliated. I am a very proud breastfeeding mother and have been feeding for almost a decade now with five children."I have never come across such negative behaviour towards a mother breastfeeding her infant."Image source, GoogleShe worried some mothers could have had their confidence knocked by being spoken to in such a manner. "There are people who think it's nudity, or that it should be done in private or at least covered with a blanket or in a breastfeeding room, hidden away," she said."It's wrong to think a mother has to hide to do a perfectly natural thing. It's our right as women to feed our babies where we want, as it's not just a source of food, it's their comfort and makes them feel safe."She dismissed fears breastfeeding in a pool could be a health hazard.Denbighshire Leisure, which runs Rhyl Leisure Centre, said the company supported breastfeeding.A spokesman said: "We do not prevent any person from breastfeeding in our facilities, but on this occasion, the breastfeeding was taking place in the water."It is very unclear whether or not a baby should or should not be fed in the water due to conflicting views on the health risks and the heightened risk of vomiting in the pool, which would result in a pool closure."They said they would seek advice from health professionals and make changes as required."We apologise for any offence this may have caused," the spokesman said.More on this storyMum told to stop breastfeeding at Sainsbury's6 days agoMum creates breastfeeding app to support women16 December 2021Company defends selling human breast milk26 August 2021

by Fumi Fujisaki - July 5, 2022

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