Tory whip Chris Pincher refers himself to police over behaviour allegations

Conservative MP Chris Pincher has "voluntarily stood down" from the Whips' Office and referred himself to the party's complaints procedure and the police following allegations over his behaviour, a Downing Street spokesman said.

Pincher, the MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire, resigned after the Mail on Sunday reported accusations of making an unwanted pass at former Olympic rower and Conservative activist Alex Story.

"After several conversations with the Chief Whip, in order to address a number of questions, Mr Pincher has voluntarily referred himself both to the party's complaints procedure and the police, and has voluntarily stood down from the Whips Office in the meantime," a Downing Street spokesman said.

Pincher told the newspaper: "If Mr Story has ever felt offended by anything I said then I can only apologise to him."