Chris Pincher: Eight week suspension from parliament recommended by standards watchdog
The Tamworth MP was found to have groped two people.
Former Government whip Chris Pincher is facing a potentially by-election triggering eight-week suspension from the Commons after the standards watchdog upheld "profoundly damaging" groping allegations.
The Standards Committee said his conduct was "completely inappropriate" and "represented an abuse of power" in its report published on Thursday.
Mr Pincher was found to have groped two people at London's exclusive Carlton club while he was the Conservative Government's deputy chief whip last summer.
The Standards Committee said that an "especially grave" aspect of Chris Pincher's conduct related to an "abuse of power".
Setting out how he broke the MPs' code of conduct, the report said:
"Sexual misconduct of this nature, by a serving senior Member of the House in such a situation, also involves an abuse of power.
"Mr Pincher was the Government Deputy Chief Whip at the time and therefore in a position of significant power and authority."
One witness said he was "fearful" about whether the incident would affect his "job and future career plans", while another noted Mr Pincher was "well connected", according to the report.
"Whether Mr Pincher intended to abuse that position of power is immaterial. Objectively, he did," the watchdog said.