Chris Pincher resigning as MP for Tamworth
The news means there will be a by-election, likely to take place in October.
Tamworth MP Chris Pincher has chosen to resign rather than face an eight-week suspension from Parliament.
It follows the announcement earlier this week that he’d lost an appeal to overturn the proposed sanction.
A standards committee found Mr Pincher had groped two men in June last year and that his behaviour had caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity of Parliament.
Boris Johnson’s handling of the scandal ultimately brought an end to his term as prime minister, with scores of senior ministers resigning in protest.
In a statement this morning, Mr Pincher said:
“I have said already that I will not stand at the next general election. However, following the independent expert panel’s decision I wanted to talk to my office team and family.
“I do not want my constituents to be put to further uncertainty, and so in consequence have made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons.
“Tamworth is a wonderful place and it has been an honour to represent its people. I shall make no further comment at this time.”
Prior to the resignation, independent borough councillor Richard Kingstone had called on the borough council to formally write to Mr Pincher, calling on him to stand down.
Cllr Kingstone said the resignation meant that was no longer necessary, and that he was looking forward to Tamworth’s reputation being restored.
He said: “It’s never nice to gloat and be happy when someone resigns from their job, especially when for many years Chris has been a good MP for Tamworth.
“But given his actions, it is time he did the decent thing and it is good to hear he has at last decided to resign. It now means that my motion to full council is no longer needed.
“I wish Chris all the best for the future and thank him for his service to our town.
“We can now move forward with selecting someone who can return our reputation back to a positive one in the eyes of the country.”
Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Tamworth, Sarah Edwards also welcomed the news.
She said: “The Conservatives protected and even promoted Chris Pincher despite serious allegations into his conduct.
“The people of Tamworth and its surrounding villages deserve a voice in parliament that they can be proud of.
“That’s what Labour will work every day to give them, to rebuild pride in Tamworth.”
Labour party chair, Anneliese Dodds, said: “The prime minister should have taken responsibility for this situation a long time ago, but instead it’s been left to Chris Pincher himself to finally accept that he is no longer fit to represent his constituents.
“The people of Tamworth have been let down by the Conservatives for 13 years.”