The post you are reporting:
Just in from the Telegraph.
Theresa May is under pressure to disclose what two of her closest allies knew about allegations made against senior Conservatives, amid claims they “sat on” accusations about MPs’ conduct.
The Telegraph understands that concerns about the behaviour of Sir Michael Fallon, the former defence secretary, were raised repeatedly in the whips’ office when Gavin Barwell, who is now the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, was “number three” there.
Separately, a serious allegation about the Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, then a whip himself, was made to the office in the same period, before Gavin Williamson – whom the Prime Minister appointed on Thursday as Sir Michael’s successor – became chief whip.
In taking charge of the whips’ office in July last year, Mr Williamson would have been briefed on any major concerns about Tory MPs, insiders said.
The woman who complained about Mr Elphicke last year is understood to have asked the party not to call in the police. However, Julian Smith, the new Chief Whip, referred Mr Elphicke to police on Friday night and suspended him following a fresh allegation.
Last night, one senior Conservative said the former whips would face “real difficulties if it emerged that there were a string of people raising concerns and they were not taking it forward”. Another source said it appeared the whips might have “sat on” allegations.
Anna Soubry, the former defence minister, said: “It’s difficult to believe that the whips’ office didn’t know much of the detail of these various allegations and they probably know more. I am astonished that Gavin Williamson was appointed as Defence Secretary.”
Anna Soubry, the former defence minister, said it is "difficult" to believe the whips’ office didn’t know much of the detail of the various allegations.