A FORMER Tory minister has described the removal of the whip from the MP who beat Chris Grayling to the chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee as "utter absurdity".
Julian Lewis secured the role despite widespread expectation that Grayling, nicknamed Failing Grayling after a series of controversies in government, would receive the backing of the Conservative-dominated Intelligence and Security Committee.
But last night, the Tory leadership took disciplinary action against Lewis as sources said the MP had "acted with the opposition for his own advantage".
READ MORE: Julian Lewis loses Tory whip after beating Chris Grayling in 'coup'
Former chairman of the committee, Dominic Grieve, told the BBC: "What troubles me about this episode, quite apart from its utter absurdity, and now withrdawing the whip from Julian, who is indeed highly respected, is the mindset it gives about what on earth is going on in Downing Street.
"Why did they try to manipulate this process? They shouldn't have done.
"The committee can only exist, the committee can only be respected... if it is seen to be non-partisan, and independent."
A senior Government source said the removal of the whip was because the MP had been "working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was widely believed to want Grayling to become the chairman of the body which oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.
Johnson has faced criticism over the delay in appointing the committee which has not met since the last parliament was dissolved in November.
The committee has yet to publish its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics after Johnson refused to clear it for release before last year's General Election.
SNP defence spokesman Stewart McDonald MP said: "This is another total shambles from the Tory government, which has failed to put in place a functioning Intelligence and Security Committee for more than six months since the election.
"With his abysmal record of failure as a Tory minister, Chris Grayling is the only man who could lose a rigged election but it is right the committee has elected a chair and it should now get on with the crucial job of ensuring scrutiny and oversight of security matters, after months of delay."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel