Peter Bone: Lib Dems demand Cabinet Investigation into what Johnson and other ministers knew

The Lib Dems have called for a Cabinet Office investigation into what Boris Johnson and other former Prime Ministers knew about the allegations of misconduct and bullying by Peter Bone.

In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has said the investigation should have access to all messages and emails between ministers to and about Peter Bone, including communications from Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. 

The investigation would also look into why Peter Bone was appointed as a minister by Boris Johnson in 2022 despite the allegations against him.

It comes after CCHQ have been criticised for failing to investigate the complaints properly.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: 

“We need an urgent inquiry to understand what Conservative Ministers knew about the allegations against Peter Bone when these complaints were made.  

“Boris Johnson must also be held accountable for his decision to appoint Peter Bone as Deputy Leader of the Commons despite the complaints made against him. 

“Given the failure of the Conservative Party to properly investigate these complaints, it is crucial that we get to the bottom of what happened. The public deserve better than another Conservative Party cover up.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Simon Case
Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall,
London, SW1A 2AS

Tuesday 17 October 2023

Dear Simon,

I am writing to request an urgent official inquiry be carried out by the Cabinet Office into what Boris Johnson and other Conservative Ministers knew about the allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying against Peter Bone, including when he was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Commons in 2022.

It is extremely concerning to hear the conclusions of Parliament’s independent expert panel (IEP), which found evidence of abuse of power and deeply inappropriate behaviour by Mr Bone towards a staff member.

There are serious questions to be answered about what Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and other Conservative ministers knew about these allegations including when Peter Bone was appointed to a ministerial position. It is therefore crucial that any inquiry has full access to communications sent by Johnson and other ministers at the time, including emails, text messages and other electronic and written correspondence.

The ministerial code reinforces the Nolan principles of public life and also states that: “harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour wherever it takes place is not consistent with the Ministerial Code and will not be tolerated.” It would therefore only be appropriate to open an investigation into why Peter Bone was appointed as a minister given the allegations against him, and whether the Code was abided by.

I look forward to your swift response.

Yours sincerely,

Christine Jardine

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson