MP Scott Benton Faces Suspension from Commons After Being Caught in Gambling Lobbying Scandal

Undercover Sting

Scott Benton, a former Tory MP, is facing a possible suspension from the Commons after being caught in a gambling lobbying scandal. The Blackpool South MP was secretly filmed by undercover Times reporters offering to leak confidential information and raise the issue of government gambling crackdown in Parliament in exchange for payment.

Violation of Commons Rules

Using his position as an MP to lobby on behalf of firms is against the rules of the Commons. The Standards Committee, following an investigation, has recommended a 35-day suspension for Benton.

Potential By-Election

If the suspension is approved by a vote of MPs, Benton's constituents would have the opportunity to trigger a "recall petition," which could lead to a by-election. This could pose a challenge for Chancellor Rishi Sunak, as he would face another test at the ballot box.

A Serious Breach

The Commons Standards Committee described Benton's actions as an "extremely serious breach" of the rules. The committee's report criticized him for suggesting that he and other MPs were corrupt and "for sale," damaging the reputation of all parliamentarians.