Chris Pincher: Fresh sex assault claims about suspended Tamworth MP

Further allegations of sexual assault have been made against former deputy chief whip and MP Chris Pincher.

Conservative councillor Daniel Cook told Channel 4 News that Mr Pincher, who has been suspended as a Tory MP, had groped him in 2005 and 2006.

Mr Cook, deputy mayor at Tamworth Council in Staffordshire, where Mr Pincher is an MP, said he had lodged a complaint with the Conservative Party.

Channel 4 reported that Mr Pincher denies the latest allegations.

He has been contacted by the BBC for a response.

Mr Cook, who waived his anonymity for his interview, said he felt angry at what had happened and wanted Mr Pincher expelled from the Tory party.

He apologised on Tuesday for appointing Mr Pincher to the government role, admitting he had been told about a complaint in 2019 and saying he had made a "bad mistake".

Mr Pincher is facing six new claims of inappropriate behaviour stretching back several years, which he has denied.

Neither investigation resulted in any action and Mr Pincher denies the allegations, saying to Channel 4 News the first he had heard of them was when he had been contacted by the broadcaster.

Mr Cook said he had met Mr Pincher when he had first started in politics as a council candidate in Tamworth for the 2004 elections aged about 28, and had campaigned with Mr Pincher among others.

He told Channel 4 Mr Pincher, who "took him under his wing" as he stood to be an MP for the area, had been drunk on both occasions.

Mr Cook said in 2005, while his wife had been at work, Mr Pincher had come to his house with a council colleague and "the next thing he knew.. cupped his hand around my genitals" and had asked if he had any "good porn".

A year later, Mr Cook said, Mr Pincher had gone round "stinking drunk" and had cupped him again and grabbed him from behind; and made reference to him being "a rising star" of politics in Tamworth.

Mr Cook said he had reacted the first time by laughing it off and pushing him away, but the second time had thrown him against his fridge and physically thrown him out of his house, watching him stagger down his drive.

He said he felt angry about what had happened and had come forward after other allegations had been made.

Mr Cook added if he had spoken out at the time, the matter could have been dealt with sooner.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said: "Mr Pincher's membership of the Conservative party has been suspended pending investigation."