Scandal-hit MP Christopher Pincher says he is taking a leave of absence and "focused on receiving the professional medical support I need". Mr Pincher made his first public statement to his local news outlet since he resigned from his Government post last week.
In a short statement released to Birmingham Live, the MP for Tamworth said: "I am taking a leave of absence and am focussed on receiving the professional medical support I need. In the meantime, my office remains open and my staff are continuing to work hard on the local issues and queries you may have. Please do continue to use my email address if my team and I can help."
Mr Pincher plunged the Government into a new crisis last week when he dramatically quit his post as deputy chief whip over allegations he groped two people at a Conservative private members’ club.
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the MP said he had 'drank far too much and embarrassed' himself. It read: "Last night I drank far too much. I’ve embarrassed myself and other people which is the last thing I want to do and for that, I apologise to you and to those concerned.
"I think the right thing to do in the circumstances is for me to resign as Deputy Chief Whip. I owe it to you and the people I’ve caused upset to, to do this.
"I want to assure you that you will continue to have my full support from the back benches, and I wish you all the best as you deal with the aftershocks of Covid and the challenges of international inflation. It has been the honour of my life to have served in Her Majesty’s Government.”
He has not responded to the specifics of the widely-reported allegation but pressure has grown for him to stand down as an MP as other allegations about his previous conduct were made and opposition parties called his position "untenable". Late on Friday afternoon, the Conservative whip was suspended from Mr Pincher while he was investigated by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
Some voters in Tamworth town centre said the allegations were "shocking" and called on Mr Pincher to go completely. Gill Lloyd, 64, told BirminghamLive: "I'm not sure I want someone like that to be associated with Tamworth."
