Conservative MP David Warburton has resigned following an investigation into his conduct. An investigation has been ongoing for the past 14 months into allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use.
Mr Warburton announced his resignation on Saturday and hit out at the “cripplingly glacial pace” of the investigation. His resignation means a by-election will be held for his Somerton and Frome constituency.
The former MP has admitted he took cocaine. He told GB News on Monday he had made a "ridiculous decision and a silly mistake”.
He said: “I was caught, I was photographed, deliberately set up and I fell for it. It was naivety and stupidity. There’s no question about that.”
He told The Mail On Sunday that he used cocaine after drinking "tons of incredibly potent" Japanese whiskey. He denies claims that he harassed a female political aide in his Westminster flat.
Mr Warburton's resignation will trigger a by-election in his Somerset constituency. It means the Conservative Party are facing three by-elections after two others were triggered through the resignations of Boris Johnson and Nigel Adams.
It is expected that all three elections will take place on July 20.
Nadine Dorries has also announced her intention to resign. However, the MP has yet formally done so.
Mr Warburton told GB News the Tories faced a tough election in his former constituency. He said: “It’s going to be tough for them. I mean, I’ve won three large majorities in a row, but prior to that it was a Lib Dem seat for 18 years over four elections.
“It’s going to be difficult and the Government is obviously facing three other by-elections … it’s a tough time for by-elections.”
In his resignation letter he said had been left with “no choice” but to provoke “the upheaval of a by-election”, adding: “It is my hope that, in so doing, I can freely illuminate the methods of an oversight system not fit for purpose, so that friends and colleagues in the House can see the perverted process by which their own judgment may at any time be freighted.”
A House of Commons spokesman said: “Parliament remains absolutely committed to the ICGS. It is there to ensure that all complaints are dealt with in a manner that is fair, thorough, independent and efficient, offering support to all parties.
“The target to reduce the length of investigations must always be balanced against the paramount requirement to ensure that investigations are rigorous and robust. The scheme always seeks to learn from cases and is mindful of the impact investigations may have on those involved.”
