Chris Pincher loses Commons suspension appeal

A Parliament watchdog had said Chris Pincher's behaviour amounted to an abuse of power

MP Chris Pincher's appeal against a proposed eight-week suspension from the House of Commons for groping two men at a London club last year has been rejected.

In its report, Parliament's conduct watchdog said the former Conservative deputy chief whip's behaviour amounted to an abuse of power.

The decision means a by-election in his Tamworth seat is a step closer.

MPs will now vote on whether to approve the eight-week punishment.

The move is normally a formality and, if approved, would trigger a recall petition which could lead to a by-election.

An inquiry was launched into the behaviour of the Tamworth MP last year following an incident at the private members Carlton Club in central London.

Parliament's standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg found Mr Pincher groped a then-employee of the House of Lords on his arm and neck, before groping his bottom.

He also found he groped a civil servant's bottom and then his testicles.

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Following the inquiry, MPs on the standards committee concluded Mr Pincher's behaviour was "profoundly damaging".

It had broken the Commons behaviour code by causing significant damage to Parliament's reputation, they added.

In his response to the report in July, Mr Pincher - who now sits as an independent MP - said he wanted to "apologise sincerely" for his conduct.

He said, in a submission to the committee, he accepted his behaviour had damaged his reputation and the government's.

But he rejected the idea he had done significant damage to Parliament's reputation as he argued he had spoken at the Carlton Club as a former minister, rather than as an MP.

The recall petition process, if triggered, would see a by-election in his Tamworth seat if 10% of registered voters sign a petition calling for one.

Labour would need a swing of just over 21% to take the Staffordshire seat, where the Conservatives had a 19,000 majority at the last election.

Downing Street refused to be drawn on whether Mr Pincher should quit the Commons and said it was a matter for him.

A spokesman added: "The prime minister is clear about the importance of integrity, professionalism and accountability.

"Those are the core values of the government and supports the work of the committee in ensuring that those standards are met."

Sarah Edwards, Labour's parliamentary candidate in Tamworth, said Mr Pincher should resign as an MP.

"The people of Tamworth and its surrounding villages deserve a voice in Parliament that they can be proud of," she said.

Analysis

By Elizabeth Glinka, BBC West Midlands Political Editor

The rejection of Chris Pincher's appeal will surprise few in Westminster or his Staffordshire constituency.

At the end of July, Conservative Central Office held a meeting with the Tamworth Conservative Association where members were told the expectation was the appeal would be rejected and, either by recall petition or Mr Pincher's resignation, they were headed for a by-election.

What's interesting now is who will stand for the party in the upcoming race.

Eddie Hughes - the current MP for Walsall North - has been selected to run in Tamworth at the next general election under new boundaries, but he's already confirmed he won't be standing in any by-election. Were he to do so, that would mean another by-election in his critical "red wall" seat in the Black Country, something his party would not want to see.

The party must now find a willing individual, prepared to fight an incredibly tough by-election, which were they to win, they would then be expected to relinquish to Mr Hughes within 12 to 18 months at the next general election.

Mr Pincher was elected to the constituency as a Conservative but was suspended from the party after the allegations at the Carlton Club emerged.

The incident also saw his resignation as deputy chief whip and contributed to Boris Johnson's departure from Downing Street.

It emerged Mr Johnson had known about a previous investigation into Mr Pincher's behaviour when he appointed him, despite Number 10 previously denying it.

Since then, Mr Pincher has said he will step down as an MP at the next general election which is expected next year.