Dorries has previously blamed the posh boys of the Tory party, including Sunak, for blocking her peerage
Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries faces possible legal action over “threatening” messages sent to civil servants about her blocked peerage, Rishi Sunak’s cabinet secretary has revealed.
The MP for Mid Bedfordshire, who previously announced that she was quitting as an MP immediately after learning that her peerage had been blocked, is yet to hand in her official resignation, receiving much criticism from sections of her party.
Dorries has previously blamed the posh boys of the Tory party, including Sunak, for blocking her peerage and said that she would will only quit as an MP once she has answers from ministers about why she did not get a peerage.
In the latest developments, during a hearing of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, Simon Case, the head of the UK’s civil service, confirmed to the chair of the committee, William Wragg that he was indeed aware of “rather forceful communications” sent by Ms Dorries to senior civil servants over her blocked peerage.
Wragg told the hearing that Dorries had been “threatening” to use “the platform of the Commons and indeed her own television programme to get to the bottom of why she hadn’t been given a peerage”.
He asked Case: “Are you aware of any rather forceful communications, it might be described, sent by the lingering member for Mid Bedfordshire to senior civil servants really threatening to use the platform of the Commons and indeed her own TV programme to get to the bottom of why she hadn’t been given a peerage?”
Case replied: “Yes I am aware of these communications and have flagged them both to the chief whip and the Speaker of the House.”
Mr Wragg then asked if the Cabinet Secretary had asked for any legal advice, questioning whether the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 could “come into play”.
Mr Case responded: “Seeking further advice on that question. Taken initial advice but asked for more.”
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 117 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.