PARLIAMENT’S sleaze watchdog today recommended disgraced MP Chris Pincher face an eight-week suspension from the Commons.
The punishment for Mr Pincher’s “completely inappropriate” conduct could trigger a by-election in his Tamworth seat.
Parliament’s sleaze watchdog has recommended an eight week suspension for disgraced former Tory MP Chris Pincher, potentially triggering another by-election
Last year Trending In The News revealed that the former Deputy Chief Whip groped two young men in a glamorous Tory members’ club.
The shocking incident led Mr Pincher to stand down from his ministerial role and a day later he had the Conservative whip removed.
But for a year Mr Pincher has stayed on as an independent MP.
Today’s report by Parliament’s Standards Committee found the ex-minister’s behaviour “was completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power”.
In a statement released this morning Mr Pincher said: “I’m conscious of the effect the evening and the coverage must have had on all the parties involved, as well as on my own family.
“I’m very sorry and apologise to them all, as I did the day I resigned from the Government.”
In its investigation, parliament’s sleaze committee solely looked at whether Mr Pincher “caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House as a whole, or of its Members generally”.
The report explained: “The perception that MPs can engage in such conduct with impunity does significantly impact public perception of the House and its Members.”
It then concluded “Mr Pincher be suspended from the service of the House for eight weeks”.
The MPs suspension will automatically trigger a re-call petition, which if enough constituents sign will then lead to a by-election.
But Mr Pincher could voluntarily step down before that time comes.
Tamworth would be the FIFTH by-election battle facing the Tories.
Three have already been triggered by MPs loyal to Boris Johnson standing down.
And a fourth will take place when ex-minister and Boris ultra-loyalist Nadine Dorries formally tenders her resignation.
However, insiders think that process could be dragged out to cause maximum pain for the PM.
