Conservative MPs have been told to stop leaking details of the backbench 1922 committee meetings to journalists as it renders them "completely redundant".
In a letter sent to Tory MPs this morning seen by The Huffington Post, Graham Evans, a member of the committee's executive, chastised his fellow Tories for leaking the details of the prime minister's speech to them last night.
"These leaks, once unheard of, have now appeared to become the norm. However, I have been prompted to send this email after last night's meeting which was addressed by the prime minister," he said.
"Details of this meeting weren't just leaked. It is clear that somebody was live leaking a minute by minute account of proceedings as they happened to journalists who then posted on Twitter whilst the meeting was still taking place."
Evans appears particularly annoyed that one or more MPs were providing Tim Montgomerie of the website Conservative Home with minute-by-minute updates of what was happening.
"Only Conservative MPs are allowed to attend 1922 Committee meetings. This means that one of our own is betraying the entire parliamentary party just to ingratiate him/herself with certain journalists," he said. "These leaks must stop."
"The 1922 Committee exists to provide a forum where backbench MPs can, in confidence, be frank with Ministers and vice versa. It has long been the cornerstone of a successful and united parliamentary party.
"These leaks are not just undermining the 1922 Committee. They threaten to make it completely redundant."
Last night Montgomerie provided his Twitter followers with updates of what was happening as the prime minister told backbenchers that he wanted "one more" push for Lords reform.
The letter added: "How many backbenchers now feel unable to ask certain questions to Ministers as they know their name will appear on ConservativeHome within the hour? How many Ministers feel they need to be guarded in what they tell us because of these leaks?
"In the long run, this can only have a negative impact on the party. I urge whoever is behind these leaks to consider the consequences of their actions and stop."
Full Letter From Graham Evans To Tory MPs
Dear colleagues,
Earlier this year you elected me to serve on the Executive of the 1922 Committee. One of the reasons I decided to stand was my frustration, shared by a large number of colleagues, about the frequent leaks from 1922 Committee meetings.
These leaks, once unheard of, have now appeared to become the norm. However, I have been prompted to send this email after last night's meeting which was addressed by the Prime Minister. Details of this meeting weren't just leaked. It is clear that somebody was live leaking a minute by minute account of proceedings as they happened to journalists who then posted on Twitter whilst the meeting was still taking place.
Only Conservative MPs are allowed to attend 1922 Committee meetings. This means that one of our own is betraying the entire parliamentary party just to ingratiate him/herself with certain journalists.
These leaks must stop.
The 1922 Committee exists to provide a forum where backbench MPs can, in confidence, be frank with Ministers and vice versa. It has long been the cornerstone of a successful and united parliamentary party.
These leaks are not just undermining the 1922 Committee. They threaten to make it completely redundant.
How many backbenchers now feel unable to ask certain questions to Ministers as they know their name will appear on ConservativeHome within the hour? How many Ministers feel they need to be guarded in what they tell us because of these leaks?
In the long run, this can only have a negative impact on the party.
I urge whoever is behind these leaks to consider the consequences of their actions and stop.
Kind regards,
Graham Evans MP