Chris Pincher
* Gets 8 weeks suspension
* Sunak faces a fifth bye-election
Agency report
Chris Pincher, Conservative MP for Tamworth, could face a recall petition
Rishi Sunak will face a fifth by-election after a report into Chris Pincher could spell the end of the disgraced MP’s parliamentary career.
The Standards Committee recommended a suspension of eight weeks for Mr Pincher, the former government whip who has represented the constituency of Tamworth since 2010 and has sat as an independent for the past year.
The suspension is far beyond the 10 days that sparks a process which gives constituents the right to recall him as an MP. If they do so, it will mean a by-election in his seat of Tamworth.
The Prime Minister is facing four by-elections after the resignations of Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams, David Warburton and Nadine Dorries as MPs, at a time when the Conservative party is struggling in the polls.
Mr Pincher was found to have groped two men at the Carlton Club in June 2022 while drunk, grabbing the first by his arm before stroking his neck and squeezing his bottom.
The second man, a civil servant, accused Mr Pincher of touching his bottom and squeezing his testicles.
The parliamentary watchdog said his conduct “was completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power”.
The Standards Committee report said: “The breach we are considering is solely whether Mr Pincher has caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House as a whole, or of its members generally.
“The perception that MPs can engage in such conduct with impunity does significantly impact public perception of the House and its members.
“We therefore recommend that Mr Pincher be suspended from the service of the House for eight weeks.”
The committee added the fact that Mr Pincher was a government deputy chief whip was an “aggravating factor” as “he had responsibility for enforcing party discipline and upholding standards”.
‘Lasting damage’
The first complainant, a House of Lords staffer at the time, described the events as “traumatic” and said they had caused him to lose sleep.
The second man said the incident caused him to become “increasingly anxious”, prompting him to take medication to manage his symptoms, and that he was “fearful” the encounter might impact his job and future career plans.
In mitigation, the committee noted that Mr Pincher expressed genuine contrition, and in his submission to the committee and has offered an apology to those affected.
They noted he had promptly resigned as a government minister and, in doing so, took responsibility for his actions, and had cooperated with the commissioner’s investigation.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards told the MPs on the committee that he damaged the House’s reputation.
The commissioner advised the committee that “the serious and public nature of [Mr Pincher’s] misconduct means that his conduct has caused significant and lasting damage to the reputation and integrity of the House”.
Mr Pincher resigned from the frontbench and lost the whip after being accused of drunkenly assaulting the two men, meaning he now sits as an independent.
‘Do the decent thing and resign’
Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, called on Mr Pincher to resign as an MP.
She said: “Chris Pincher’s actions are shocking. But what’s even worse, is the way the Conservative Party protected him, even promoting him despite a previous investigation into his conduct.
“Chris Pincher should now do the decent thing and resign as an MP. The people of Tamworth and the surrounding villages deserve more from their parliamentary representative.”
A law passed in the wake of the expenses scandal means anyone suspended from the Commons for more than 10 days faces a recall petition.
A recall petition could be triggered in his Staffordshire seat if the committee recommends a suspension of at least 10 sitting days and the wider Commons approves it.
If 10 per cent of Tamworth voters sign it, then the Conservatives, reeling in the national polls, will have to defend another constituency won by the Tories in 2019.
Two of three by-elections to be held on July 20 were triggered by the resignations of Mr Johnson and his ally Mr Adams.
The third was prompted by the resignation of Mr Warburton amid allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use.
Another is due whenever Ms Dorries decides to formally resign.
Mr Pincher’s resignation from the role of deputy chief whip last year hastened the departure of Mr Johnson as prime minister.
Already battling to remain prime minister while dogged by partygate allegations, Mr Johnson’s handling of the affair was the final straw for his Cabinet support.
He had appointed the MP to the senior role overseeing party discipline despite being aware of an official complaint about his prior behaviour.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
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