Grope MP Chris Pincher quits triggering by-election nightmare for Rishi Sunak
Former Tory whip Chris Pincher has quit as an MP after losing an appeal against an eight-week Commons ban for groping two men.
The shamed ex-Tory had tried to overturn a lengthy Commons ban ordered by the standards watchdog after complaints he drunkenly groped two men in a private members club in London last June. The hefty suspension would have triggered a recall petition and likely paved the way for a by-election in his Tamworth seat.
But Mr Pincher has decided to quit rather than wait to see if his constituents oust him. This sets the stage for a third by-election this autumn, which Rishi Sunak admitted would be "difficult". Contests are already being held to replace Tory Nadine Dorries and ex-SNP MP Margaret Ferrier.
In a statement to PA, 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."
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His departure was confirmed by the Treasury this afternoon, who released a statement saying he had been appointed "Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead". Quitting MPs are given this title as part of the archaic process allowing them to step down.
The date has already been set for two critical by-elections next month. Voters will head to the polls in Mid Bedfordshire on October 19 to replace Boris Johnson ally Ms Dorries, who went on a rampage against Rishi Sunak after she was snubbed for a peerage. Both the Lib Dems and Labour are battling to overturn her 24,000-strong majority.
Keir Starmer faces a key test in Scotland on October 5 in Rutherglen and Hamilton West after voters decided to oust ex-SNP MP Margaret Ferrier. She was suspended from the Commons for 30 days for breaking Covid rules by travelling from London to Scotland by train despite knowing she had the virus. She admitted at Glasgow Sheriff Court last year that she had exposed the public “to the risk of infection, illness and death” and was ordered to do 270 hours of community service. This contest is being watched keenly to see if Labour can revive its fortunes north of the border - and capitalise on SNP chaos.
Today, Mr Sunak admitted the looming by-elections will be "difficult" for the Conservatives. Speaking during a visit to the University of Warwick, the Prime Minister said: "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."
Mr Starmer said that voters in Tamworth have been "desperately let down". "The contrast this week couldn't be starker could it," he told broadcasters. "I've just put my top team on the table through the reshuffle that will take us into the election, focusing on the country. And yet we've got get another resignation of a Tory MP in disgrace, another by-election.
"And Tamworth, people living there have been desperately let down and they now get the chance to through Sarah Edwards, the Labour candidate, to have someone who will fight for that constituency and be part of something that is about fixing, rebuilding, and taking our country forwards."
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