Sunak refusing to comment as well.
It's amazing that they've closed ranks around this citing an 'independent inquiry". What's there to uncover? Sunak must know if this guy knew when the planned election date was directly from him or not, why has he started an inquiry?
Grown-up strong-leadery thing to do: Remove him as a candidate citing a breach of trust for personal gain. Yes, you lose the seat as it's too late to find anyone else.
Snide-twerp thing to do: Refuse to say if you ever told him anything, hide behind an "independent inquiry" and look weak as you desparately try to reward loyalty over integrity (very Johnson-like). Might cling on to the seat but but might not, and take an extra kicking elsewhere over the headlines.