Tory MP Chris Pincher to resign after suspension from Commons over groping allegations
Former Tory whip Chris Pincher has said he is resigning as an MP after losing his appeal against a suspension for drunkenly groping two men, paving the way for another by-election.
Thursday 7 September 2023 14:15, UK
Tory MP Chris Pincher will resign after losing his appeal against an eight-week suspension from the Commons following groping allegations.
The Commons Standards Committee announced the sanction in July after investigating the claims and whether the former deputy chief whip caused "significant damage to the reputation of the House" - a breach of the members' code.
The move means there will be a by-election in his constituency of Tamworth in Staffordshire, which has a Conservative majority of nearly 20,000.
It comes on top of a second potentially damaging vote for the Tories in mid-Bedfordshire, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceding they will be "difficult" for his party.
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Mr Pincher did not appeal against the breach, but argued to the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) that the punishment was disproportionate.
He stood down as deputy chief whip in June 2022 after reports he had groped two men while drinking at the Carlton Club in central London, and was later suspended by the Conservative Party.
In his resignation statement today Mr Pincher said: "I have said already that I will not stand at the next general election.
"However, following the Independent Expert Panel's decision I wanted to talk to my office team and family.
"I do not want my constituents to be put to further uncertainty, and so in consequence I have made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons.
"Tamworth is a wonderful place and it has been an honour to represent its people.
"I shall make no further comment at this time."
Mr Pincher has been comfortably voted for by Tamworth residents since 2010 and won a 19,634 vote majority at the last general election.
But the Tories are wary of any electoral test after a sustained period in which national polling has put the party far behind Labour.
Asked about his party's prospects in the by-elections, Mr Sunak told reporters in Warwick: "Mid-term by-elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and these will be no different, but we're going to keep working hard to deliver for the British people."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said will be hoping to to secure the seat for his party.
He said that the people of Tamworth had been "desperately let down" by Mr Pincher and the Tories.
"The contrast this week couldn't be starker could it? I've just put my top team on the table through the reshuffle that will take us into the election, focusing on the country."
Labour would need a swing of over 21 points to win the seat and if they managed it, this would mark the 5th largest Tory defeat to Labour since 1945.
While that is a huge feat, the party will be bolstered by their victory at the Selby and Ainsty by-election in July, which saw them overturn a 20,000 seat majority following a swing of 23.7 points.
Groping allegations
The allegations against Mr Pincher led to the downfall of Boris Johnson, after it emerged the then prime minister was aware of an investigation into his conduct three years before, yet still appointed him to a role in his government involving MPs' welfare.
An investigation by the Commons Standards Committee gave details of the Carlton Club allegations.
The first complainant, a House of Lords employee, claimed Mr Pincher had stroked his neck and squeezed his bottom.
The second complainant, a civil servant, said he touched his bottom before moving his hand to touch and squeeze his testicle.
Mr Pincher apologised after their report was released in July and said he had "sought professional medical help".
The watchdog said Mr Pincher's conduct had been "completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power".
The eight week suspension they recommended was enough to trigger a re-call petition which in turn could have led to a by-election.
The IEP, in upholding his punishment, said Mr Pincher's arguments were "misconceived or erroneous", adding: "The sanction is far from being arbitrary or disproportionate."