UK: Tory MP says he will meet police over government 'blackmail' accusations
A British politician from the ruling Conservative Party has said he will meet police over his accusations that Boris Johnson's government had attempted to "blackmail" parliamentarians suspected of trying to force the prime minister from office.
William Wragg has claimed that some Conservatives have faced intimidation and blackmail from government representatives because of their calls for the prime minister's removal following a series of scandals.
"I stand by what I have said. No amount of gaslighting will change that," he told the Daily Telegraph (paywall). "The offer of Number 10 to investigate is kind but I shall leave it to the experts. I am meeting the police early next week."
London's Metropolitan Police said on Saturday it could not comment on any specific planned meetings. "As with any such allegations, should a criminal offence be reported to the Met, it would be considered," a spokesman said.
On Thursday William Wragg said accused Johnson's staff, government ministers, and others of "encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those they who suspect of lacking confidence in the prime minister."
He also alleged that rebellious lawmakers had been threatened with a loss of public funding for their constituencies.
"The intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. Reports of which I am aware would seem to constitute blackmail," said the MP, one of seven Tories who have publicly called for a party confidence vote in the prime minister.
Wragg's accusations follow the dramatic defection of Conservative MP Christian Wakeford to the Labour party on Wednesday. He has claimed he was told his seat in northwest England could lose a school if he did not fall into line.
Boris Johnson said
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