David Warburton, the independent MP for Somerton and Frome, has resigned, prompting another by-election. He was suspended from the Conservative Party last year over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.
In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Warburton admitted to taking cocaine after consuming 'incredibly potent' Japanese whisky but denied harassment claims, stating he was 'set up' and had been 'naive and incredibly stupid'. He described the past 14 months as 'extraordinarily difficult' and said the allegations were 'malicious'.
Warburton's resignation letter criticised the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), claiming he was denied a fair hearing. The House of Commons rejected this, stating the ICGS ensures complaints are dealt with fairly, thoroughly, and independently.
His departure follows those of Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams, and Nadine Dorries, though Dorries has not yet stepped down. Labour's Shabana Mahmood accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of being 'too weak to act', while Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper condemned the Conservatives for 'sleaze and scandal'.
