Daniel Korski ‘categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever’ and welcomes any investigation, mayoral campaign says
Daisy Goodwin says women contacted her with ‘interesting stories’ after Korski accusations
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Rishi Sunak has encouraged other women to come forward if they feel they have been mistreated by government staff, following groping allegations against a Tory mayoral candidate.
Screenwriter and novelist Daisy Goodwin claims that Daniel Korski groped her breast after a meeting at Downing Street more than a decade ago.
Ms Goodwin has now filed a formal complaint against Mr Korski and said she has “been contacted by other women with some very interesting stories”.
Asked if the prime minister would encourage those who feel they have been ill treated by members of government staff – former or present – to come forward, his spokesperson said “of course”.
Downing Street has described the allegations against Mr Korski as “very serious”.
It comes as Mr Korski told TalkTV that he informed Tory bosses about the allegations during the mayoral race vetting process, long before they were revealed on Monday.
Ms Goodwin went public about the incident in 2017, but at the time did not name the former aide to ex-PM David Cameron.A campaign spokesperson said on Wednesday: “In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever. He welcomes any investigation and will cooperate fully.”
Voices: It’s time for the Tories to nationalise Thames Water
As a sort of long-term real world experiment into the merits of running a basic utility in the private sector, the seemingly imminent emergency renationalisation of Thames Water suggests it was not a very good idea in the first place. Indeed, it may now be fairly judged as a failure – and an embarrassing one at that for the party responsible, writes Sean O’Grady.
Other water companies are available, as they say, and are not in as sorry a state as old father Thames’ corporate emanation, but the best that can be said about this episode is that it proves that life for a water company as a joint stock concern owned by shareholders doesn’t necessarily guarantee clean rivers, superb customer service and, indeed, even a steady reliable income for the owners.
Most private companies that are, like Thames Water, loaded up with too much debt and lumbered with questionable management go bust, sadly, and the fate of staff, assets, shareholders and customers are left to market forces. Yet in the case of a water company, for obvious reasons of supply and sanitation, it cannot be left to just close down.
Joe Middleton28 June 2023 14:19
Tory MPs ‘pause’ support for Daniel Korski
A number of Tory MP backers of Daniel Korski have now paused support for his London mayoral campaign in the wake of the groping allegation against him.
Children’s minister Claire Coutinho, who previously endorsed Mr Korski in the contest, said her support is “on pause” and described Ms Goodwin’s sexual assault allegation against Mr Korski is “serious and concerning”.
Skills minister Robert Halfon has also paused his support while former Tory health minister Lord Bethell, who had also endorsed Mr Korski, said he is “committed to support but keeping a watchful eye”.
Archie Mitchell28 June 2023 14:03
Sunak encourages other accusers to come forward after groping claims against Tory mayoral candidate
Rishi Sunak has encouraged other women to come forward following “very serious) groping allegations against a Tory mayoral candidate.
Daniel Korski has been accused of touching a TV producer’s breast in Downing Street.
Daisy Goodwin, who made the sensational accusation on Monday evening, says she has since has “been contacted by other women with some very interesting stories”.
She said she could not discuss the details “for legal reasons”, but added that they had made her feel “entirely justified” in naming him.
Asked if the prime minister would encourage those who feel they have been ill treated by members of government staff – former or present – to come forward, his spokeswoman said “of course”.
Downing Street also described the allegations as “very serious”.
Mr Sunak’s press secretary said: “Obviously these allegations are very serious. They are allegations that have obviously been denied by Daniel Korski himself. They should be handled in the proper way.”
Downing Street also said the “allegations should be dealt with by the appropriate authority and taken seriously.”
Joe Middleton28 June 2023 14:00
No 10 says groping allegations against Daniel Korski are ‘very serious’
Downing Street described Daisy Goodwin’s groping allegation against Tory London mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski as “very serious”.
Asked if Rishi Sunak believes Mr Korski is a suitable candidate, the prime minister’s press secretary said: “As you know there are three candidates and the prime minister does not endorse any single one candidate.
“Obviously these allegations are very serious. They are allegations that have obviously been denied by Daniel Korski himself. They should be handled in the proper way.”
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 13:46
Watch: Plaid Cymru says Sunak is allowing poverty while corporate profits pile up
Plaid Cymru says Sunak is allowing poverty while corporate profits pile up
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 13:28
Sunak accuses SNP of ‘complete economic illiteracy’
Rishi Sunak has accused the SNP of “complete economic illiteracy”, in a clash over public sector pay at PMQs.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “This prime minister is out of touch, and the Tory Party is soon to be out of time.
“And what the public really want is change. But in a week where the Conservative Party and indeed the Labour Party both refused to accept proposals for public sector pay rises whilst at the same time accepting the economic damage of Brexit, is it not the case that Westminster does not offer the people real change nor real hope for the future?”
Rishi Sunak responded: “The honourable gentleman just exposes the complete economic illiteracy of the SNP position. His first question talks about the challenges posed on ordinary families by higher interest rates caused by higher inflation.
“What does his next question do? Support a policy that would increase government borrowing and make the situation worse. It just demonstrates completely candidly why the SNP’s approach to economic management is simply not fit for anyone in the United Kingdom.”
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 13:12
Tories mocked over ‘0 days since last incident’ graphic
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The Labour Party has mocked the Conservatives over a “0 days since last incident” social media graphic.
Tory HQ had accused Labour of “flip-flopping” by scrapping a pledge to bring in rent controls. Its Twitter account posted the graphic under an Independent article.
But social media users quickly linked the “0 days since last incident” claim to the Conservative Party, which is currently grappling with the fallout from a sexual assault allegation against a London mayoral contender.
The Labour Press account replied to the CCHQ post, suggesting the Tories “pin” it, which would keep it at the top of the party’s profile permanently.
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 12:57
Rishi Sunak ‘literally worst person’ to lead UK through cost of living crisis, says Chris Bryant
Rishi Sunak is “literally the worst person” to be leading the country through the cost of living crisis, Labour MP Chris Bryant has said.
“The prime minister has had responsibility for the UK economy now for 1,323 days and he’s delivered,” began the Labour MP.
“He’s delivered the largest national peacetime debt ever, the largest tax burden since the Second World War, the highest core inflation since 1991, the fastest interest rate rises since 1989 and the biggest fall in living standards in our history.
“So will he stop lecturing my constituents about ‘holding their nerve’, ditch the lame excuses, and admit that he is literally the worst person to be leading this country through a cost of living crisis?”
Chris Bryant says Rishi Sunak is ‘literally the worst person’ to be leading the country
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 12:42
Starmer quizzes Sunak over 300,000 new homes target
During the fiery PMQs clash over housebuilding, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer questioned whether Rishi Sunak will “actually hit his target of 300,000 new homes a year”.
The Labour leader told the Commons: “Can he point to a single person in housing, in construction, anywhere who thinks he’ll actually hit his target of 300,000 new homes a year, anyone?”
The prime minister replied: “The record is that in the last three years we’ve delivered almost record numbers of new home building in every one of those years. He talks about targets, so let’s be clear, I promised to put local people in control of new housing, I delivered on that policy within weeks of becoming prime minister.
“But I am confused… because first the shadow community and housing secretary said communities should have control, but he then said we should get the targets back and disempower local people?
“I do want to give him some advice, I don’t think it’s local people that are the problem, it’s the Labour Party policy.”
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 12:30
Stephen Flynn calls Sunak ‘near billionaire’ and asks when he last struggled to pay a bill
Stephen Flynn calls Sunak ‘near billionaire’ and asks when he last struggled to pay a bill
Andy Gregory28 June 2023 12:28
