Rishi Sunak could face yet another by-election headache as parliament’s sleaze watchdog delivers its verdict on the conduct of Chris Pincher which is likely to see the former Tory whip suspended for more than 10 days
- Chris Pincher could face a parliamentary suspension of 10 days, sources said
Rishi Sunak faces the prospect of another debilitating by-election today, when parliament’s sleaze watchdog reports on the conduct of former Tory whip Chris Pincher.
Westminster sources believe the parliamentary standards commissioner is poised to recommend a suspension of more than 10 days for Mr Pincher over claims he groped two men in the Carlton Club last summer.
The punishment would be enough to trigger a by-election in the Tamworth constituency held by the former deputy chief whip.
Mr Pincher quit the Government last year after admitting he had been ‘extremely drunk’ during a night out at the Carlton Club and had ’embarrassed myself and other people’.
He has denied sexual misconduct.
Westminster sources believe the parliamentary standards commissioner is poised to recommend a suspension of more than 10 days for Chris Pincher (pictured) over claims he groped two men in the Carlton Club last summer
Controversy over Boris Johnson’s handling of the case helped trigger his downfall last summer.
The departure of Mr Pincher would leave the Prime Minister facing the prospect of defending a fifth Tory seat at a time when Labour is almost 20 points ahead in the polls.
The Tories are already fearing a grim night on July 20, when by-elections will be held in Somerton and Frome, Selby and Ainsty and Boris Johnson’s former constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
Rishi Sunak (pictured) faces the prospect of another debilitating by-election today, when parliament’s sleaze watchdog reports on the conduct of former Tory whip Chris Pincher
Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has said she will resign as MP for Mid Bedfordshire this summer triggering another contest.
On paper, all of the seats have healthy Tory majorities. But in the current climate, ministers fear they could lose all five, adding to the gathering gloom among Conservative MPs.
A shock poll at the weekend forecast that the Conservatives are heading for the biggest by-election defeat in British history, with Labour predicted to win in Mid Bedfordshire, which has been held by the Conservatives since 1931.
Mrs Dorries had a majority of almost 25,000 in 2019. But a constituency survey by Opinium put Labour on 28 points, ahead of the Tories on 24, with the Liberal Democrats on 15 and Reform UK on 10.
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