UK PM Rishi Sunak faces by-election headache as lawmaker Chris Pincher accused of groping resigns
- Chris Pincher will leave the House of Commons more than a year after he was suspended from the ruling Conservative Party by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson
- Sunak’s Conservative Party lost 2 of 3 parliamentary seats contested in July, and are trailing in opinion polls with a national election expected next year
Johnson’s initial perceived downplaying of the allegations added to pressure that ultimately led to Johnson’s resignation as prime minister.
Pincher had argued that his suspension was disproportionate. But he lost that appeal on Monday and faced removal by his constituents due to the length of the suspension.
“I do not want my constituents to be put to further uncertainty,” he said in a statement. “I have made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons.”
The votes could intensify pressure on Sunak, whose Conservative Party lost two out of three parliamentary seats contested in July, and who is struggling to re-energise his premiership ahead of a national election expected next year.
“Midterm by-elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and these will be no different,” Sunak said.
Sunak’s Tories retain Boris Johnson’s seat but routed in 2 key constituencies
The Conservatives are trailing behind the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls and – as a scandal over crumbling concrete in schools is damaging Sunak’s hopes of a recovery – more defeats would be a further embarrassment.
Two men told parliament’s standards committee that Pincher touched them inappropriately at the private members’ Carlton Club last year. The committee said in its June report that the physical contact was “unwanted, upsetting and deeply inappropriate”.
Pincher has apologised for his behaviour and said he had been unable to recall the events.
