Your Route to Real News

MP faces Commons suspension after being caught in gambling lobbying scandal

476     0
Rishi Sunak faces another bruising by-election after Scott Benton lost his sleaze appeal
Rishi Sunak faces another bruising by-election after Scott Benton lost his sleaze appeal

RED Wall MP Scott Benton today lost his appeal against a 35-day Commons ban.

Rishi Sunak now faces another bruising by-election with Mr Benton set to be suspended after being stung in a gambling lobby scandal.

Scott Benton has lost an appeal against a recommended 35 day suspension from the Commons tdiqrizituprw
Scott Benton has lost an appeal against a recommended 35 day suspension from the CommonsCredit: PA

Mr Benton said he was "deeply disappointed" and found the appeal rejection "unjust".

He added: "The entire process has been prone to regular leaks at every stage, with journalists knowing the details throughout.

"This lack of integrity throughout the process has formed an inescapable appearance of bias."

Michelle Mone's husband gifted Tories 'over £171k' as Covid PPE row rumbles onMichelle Mone's husband gifted Tories 'over £171k' as Covid PPE row rumbles on

The Blackpool South MP was caught by undercover Times reporters saying he could leak an upcoming government gambling crackdown White Paper and raise the issue in Parliament in return for payment.

Benton was secretly filmed in April last year promising “behind the scenes” information and bragged about his “easy access to Ministers”.

An MP using their position to lobby on behalf of firms is against Commons rules.

Following a probe, the Standards Committee recommended a Benton receive a 35-day suspension from the Commons.

But Mr Benton appealed the punishment, arguing parliament's sleaze watchdog "did not adhere to its own standards and principles" because a report into his misconduct was leaked to the media.

But an independent panel rejected the claim.

If approved by a vote of MPs, the punishment is strong enough for his constituents to trigger a "recall petition" that paves the way for a byelection.

It potentially tees up a another by-election headache for Rishi Sunak who once again would face a test at the ballot box.

The Commons Standards Committee said Mr Benton's actions were an "extremely serious breach" of the rules.

Its report blasted him for suggesting "that he was corrupt and 'for sale', and that so were many other Members of the House".

500 deaths is criminal and you can't blame it on strikers - Voice of the Mirror500 deaths is criminal and you can't blame it on strikers - Voice of the Mirror

It added: "He communicated a toxic message about standards in Parliament. We condemn Mr Benton for his comments which unjustifiably tarnish the reputation of all MPs."

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's shadow paymaster general, said: "Scott Benton should do the decent thing and resign, saving the people of Blackpool South a lengthy recall petition that would leave them without the representation they deserve.

"This is yet another by-election caused by Tory scandal. Britain deserves better than this carousel of Conservative chaos.

"Labour's Chris Webb is Blackpool born and bred, and ready to deliver a fresh start for Blackpool South."

Noa Hoffman

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus