The Tory MP Anna Soubry has questioned why Damian Green has not stood aside as first secretary of state during an investigation into claims that he made inappropriate advances to a female journalist and Tory activist.

Theresa May has referred claims made by Kate Maltby in The Times to the cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood that Mr Green made two such advances in early 2015 and in June 2016. Mr Green denies the claims.

Ms Soubry told Sky News that the allegations were “very serious”.

“I would say there is an investigation, by some mechanism you stand out, you remove yourself from this position, until the conclusion of that investigation,” she said. “There will be a reason why he is still there; it might be his