'Gargan was effectively punished twice for misconduct', says MP

Nick Gargan was appointed chief constable in January 2013 and was suspended in May 2014

The way in which Avon and Somerset chief constable Nick Gargan was forced to resign was unfair, an MP will tell Parliament today.

Jacob Rees-Mogg says Mr Gargan was effectively punished twice for misconduct - once by an independent panel, and then when the Crime Commissioner invoked separate powers to ask him to step down.

Mr Gargan resigned earlier this month after mounting calls for him to quit.

The Police and Crime Commissioner of Avon and Somerset said he abused his position by forwarding confidential emails, interfering with a proper recruitment process and storing intimate images on his work phone.

Commissioner Sue Mountstevens had previously told ITV News the situation had been"damaging for everyone concerned", and initiated the process to require Mr Gargan to resign.A spokeswoman from her office today responded to the comments that Mr Gargan was treated unfairly.

Nick Gargan has since apologised saying, he is "deeply sorry" for the "flawed judgement" and "ill-advised" behaviour that led to being found guilty of eight charges of misconduct