Chris Pincher: Tory MP resigns after losing groping appeal to trigger Tamworth by-election

Rishi Sunak faces two crunch by-elections after Conservative Chris Pincher said he is resigning as an MP after losing his appeal against a suspension for drunkenly groping two men.

The MP for Tamworth was suspended for eight weeks by the Commons Standards Committee for an “egregious case of sexual misconduct”, which would have triggered a by-election.

He had sought to reduce the suspension but had his appeal dismissed on Monday.

The former Tory whip, who had already said he would stand down at the next general election, said he did not want to put any “further uncertainty” on his constituents and has “made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons”.

It paves the way for another by-election for the Conservative Party which already faces the battle to keep hold of Nadine Dorries’s Mid Bedfordshire constituency.

After weeks of uncertainty, Ms Dorries’s recent resignation triggered the by-election in her former seat, with the vote due to take place on Thursday 19 October.

It is likely this latest by-election will be held the same day – facing a double battle for Mr Sunak as he fights to retain the two constituencies whilst his party trails behind in the polls.

Speaking during a visit to the University of Warwick, the Prime Minister said: “Mid-term by-elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and these will be no different, but we’re going to keep working hard to deliver for the British people.

“I set out five priorities at the beginning of the year – to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. Those are the right priorities, those are the British people’s priorities, and we are determined to deliver on them and show the country that we can transform their lives and their families’ lives for the better.”

The Standards Committee found in July the Mr Pincher’s conduct last summer was “profoundly damaging” and amounted to an abuse of power. His actions were described as “unwanted, inappropriate and upsetting”.

The eight-week suspension would have triggered a recall petition if it had been approved by MPs, which was almost inevitable and a by-election would have followed if the petition was signed by 10 per cent of constituents.

Mr Pincher appealed the punishment, arguing it was disproportionate, but the IEP said Mr Pincher’s arguments were “misconceived or erroneous” and backed the committee’s proposed sanction.

He resigned as a Government whip after the incident, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin of Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister amid anger at his handling of the affair.

Mr Pincher subsequently lost the Tory whip, meaning he has been sitting in the Commons as an independent.

In a statement to the PA news agency, 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 I have made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons.

“Tamworth is a wonderful place and it has been an honour to represent its people.”