Tamworth MP Chris Pincher loses appeal against eight week suspension following groping allegations
Tory former whip Chris Pincher has lost his appeal against an eight-week suspension from the Commons, following allegations he drunkenly groped two men.
Mr Pincher was the Conservative Government’s deputy chief whip last summer when he was accused of drunkenly assaulting the two men at the exclusive Carlton Club in London.
The suspension exceeds the 10-day threshold that would trigger a recall petition in his Tamworth seat, which could pave the way for a by-election.
The Commons Standards Committee in July recommended a lengthy suspension for Mr Pincher after it found that the MP’s conduct last summer was “profoundly damaging” and amounted to an abuse of power.
Boris Johnson’s handling of the row over his former chief whip was the final nail in the coffin of his premiership, triggering his resignation last year after an exodus of ministers from his administration.
Mr Pincher, who remains MP for Tamworth, lodged an appeal against the committee’s findings arguing it was disproportionate.
But Parliament’s watchdog, the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), on Monday dismissed his appeal and upheld the Standards Committee’s recommended sanction.
One source told ITV News Central that Pincher is likely to resign on Monday following the decision.
The report's key findings
Mr Pincher's alleged behaviour, which was upheld by the Committee, was found to be "unwanted, upsetting, and deeply inappropriate" to the complainants
One complainant said his actions had been "traumatic"
The Committee ruled Mr Pincher broke paragraph 17 of the Ministerial Code, which states: "Members shall never undertake any action which would cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons as a whole, or of its Members generally"
The report found: "Mr Pincher’s conduct was completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power"
A recommended parliamentary suspension of eight weeks has been given by the Committee, which passes the threshold to trigger a recall petition in Mr Pincher's constituency if MPs approve of the report's findings
The mitigating factors for the committee were that Mr Pincher "expressed genuine contrition", "an apology to those affected", he "promptly resigned as a Government Minister", "took responsibility for his actions" and "cooperated" with the investigation