Recall petition for suspended Wellingborough MP Peter Bone closes

Peter Bone was suspended from the Commons for six weeks for breaching the code of conduct for MPs

A recall petition to decide whether Peter Bone MP should lose his seat has closed.

Mr Bone, the MP for Wellingborough, was found to have subjected a member of his staff to bullying and sexual misconduct.

The recall petition was prompted by his suspension from the House of Commons for six weeks for breaching the code of conduct for MPs.

Mr Bone was also suspended from the Conservative Party.

Last week, the 71-year-old returned to the House of Commons to vote in favour of the government's Rwanda bill, after his suspension had expired.

The recall petition has been open for six weeks, since 8 November.

If 10% of voters in his Wellingborough constituency signed the petition, the seat would become vacant - triggering a by-election.

Last month, an investigation by parliament's behavioural watchdog, the Independent Expert Panel, found Mr Bone broke sexual misconduct rules by indecently exposing himself to a staff member during an overseas trip.

It also upheld five allegations of bullying, including verbally belittling the member of staff, physically striking him and throwing things at him.

Mr Bone has denied the allegations.

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