Sacked trade minister Conor Burns denies ever meeting singer Mel B after claims he made remarks to her in lift
Sacked government trade minister Conor Burns has denied ever meeting Mel B after the singer suggested he made an inappropriate remark to her in a lift.
Mr Burns was removed from his ministerial role “with immediate effect” on Friday following an allegation of serious misconduct.
The Tory MP for Bournemouth West has also had the whip suspended while the complaint is investigated.
The 50-year-old later posted a series of tweets where he wrote: “I will fully co-operate with the party’s enquiry and look forward to clearing my name.
“I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their enquiry as they were to rush to judgement.”
Mel B, an ex-Spice Girl whose full name is Melanie Brown, then retweeted his thread and wrote: “Really?? Your shocked about this complaint??? Let me remind you what you said me in lift…..”
The pop star hasn’t elaborated on what Mr Burns is alleged to have said.
The suspended MP told the Press Association on Saturday that he doesn’t recall having ever met the singer.
He said: “I believe I have never met Mel.”
The Conservative Party is understood to be looking into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Burns at the annual Tory conference between last Sunday to Wednesday.
Mel B, sometimes known as Scary Spice, attended the conference to speak about domestic abuse at a fringe event hosted by The Sun and Women’s Aid.
There is no suggestion the allegation against Mr Burns is linked to the Spice Girl.
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The sacked trade minister told journalists on Saturday the Conservative Party still hasn’t told him the details of the allegation.
He said: “All I can say is that as someone who is committed to public service, to the service of my constituents, the last 24 hours have been distressing and devastating.
“I’ve still not had any information from the party as of the nature of the complaint. I say, as I have said in my statement, that I will co-operate fully with the party when they engage with me.
“I look forward to clearing my name”.
Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked Mr Burns from his post in the Department for International Trade on Friday following the complaint, as No 10 insisted “high standards of behaviour” must be maintained.