The Conservatives reinstated the party whip for two MPs who were suspended over allegations of sexual wrongdoing, just in time for them to take part in tonight's vote of no confidence in Theresa May.
Charlie Elphicke, suspended over what Tory leaders called "serious allegations", and Andrew Griffiths, who had the whip removed after bombarding a female constituent with explicit messages, were allowed to take part in the ballot.
Mr Elphicke, who was referred to police over the allegations against him, strongly denies wrongdoing.
The pair were readmitted by the Tories on Wednesday as party whips attempted to secure every possible vote to guarantee Ms May's future. Government sources denied it was an attempt to influence the outcome of the vote, which Ms May won by a margin of 200 to 117.
The contest was triggered after 48 Conservative MPs wrote to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers, to express no confidence in Ms May.
While Mr Elphicke did not say how he intended to vote in the secret ballot, Mr Griffiths revealed that he would back the prime minister.
He said: “Theresa May has shown huge determination and bravery in negotiating and arguing for her deal.
"I believe she remains the best person to deliver the Brexit people in Burton and Uttoxeter voted for, and I will be supporting her in tonight’s ballot.”
Last month, Mr Griffiths said he had contemplated suicide after being caught sexting barmaid Imogen Treharne and her friend.
The married MP, 48, apologised and resigned as a business minister after it was revealed that he had sent the 28-year-old 2000 texts in just three weeks, including many of an explicit nature.
Mr Elphicke, meanwhile, confirmed he had had the whip reinstated more than a year after being suspended in November 2017.
He wrote on Twitter: "Important for my constituents to know that, 13 months after having it withdrawn, I have been given back the Conservative whip.
"I remain as confident as I always have been of clearing my name and will continue to work as hard for Dover & Deal as I always have done."
Government sources pointed to the fact that Mr Elphicke is likely to vote against Ms May as evidence that the move was not motivated by partisan advantage.
But Labour said the Tories' decision to readmit the two MPs was a "betrayal of women".
Dawn Butler MP, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, said: "It is a betrayal of women for the Tories to let MPs who have been suspended for alleged sexual harassment back into their party just to allow them to vote in the leadership challenge."
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