Yet another by-election is on the cards after Parliament approved a 35-day suspension for an ex-Tory MP caught in a lobbying scandal.
Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, suggested to undercover reporters at The Times newspaper he would break lobbying rules for money last April.
He told the journalists, posing on behalf of a fake investment fund, he could ‘call in favours’ and give them ‘easy access’ to public officials.
Parliament’s Standards Committee recommended he be suspended from the House of Commons for 35 days, beginning on Wednesday.
MPs backed this in a vote this evening.
This means that, if 10% of constituents sign a recall petition, a by-election would be triggered in his seat.
Benton, now an independent, holds a majority of 3,690 in his seat after his election in 2019.
In December, the Commons Standards Committee said it was an ‘extremely serious breach’ of the rules and recommended he be suspended from the lower house.
‘He communicated a toxic message about standards in Parliament. We condemn Mr Benton for his comments which unjustifiably tarnish the reputation of all MPs,’ the report said at the time.
The Commons’ code of conduct says: ‘Taking payment in return for advocating a particular matter in the house is strictly forbidden.
‘Members may not speak in the house, vote, or initiate parliamentary proceedings for payment in cash or kind.’
Benton, who has served as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Betting and Gambling, has argued he did not undertake activity that breached the rules.
He said in a letter to the committee: ‘I do not consider my actions to be a breach of the rules: it is my view that I complied with the letter and the spirit of the rules.
‘The meeting was a lapse in judgment and I deeply regret my comments. I would like to again offer my unequivocal apologies for the inaccurate statements I have made.’
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