Tory MP facing calls to resign over porn allegations
Good morning.
Neil Parish, the Conservative MP accused of watching pornography in the House of Commons, is facing calls to resign now rather than waiting for the results of the inquiry into the allegations.
Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton in Devon, had the whip suspended after becoming the fourth MP from his party since the last election to face claims of impropriety.
In a statement, the 65-year-old wrote on his website: “I will be cooperating fully with any investigation, and whilst it is ongoing I will continue to perform my duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton.”
However, there were suggestions that a Tory minister also saw him watching porn on a second occasion, in a committee meeting.
Parish said he would consider his position as an MP after the result of the investigation, telling reporters: “I will not remain if I am found guilty.”
Labour’s shadow leader of the House of Commons, Thangam Debbonaire, says Parish should “do the decent thing and resign”.
“He has referred himself to the standards committee, where they will have, among various other options, the option to expel,” she told reporters.
“But I think really he should do the decent thing and resign.”
We’ll bring you more updates on this story throughout the day.