UK MP Scott Benton may be facing a 35-day suspension from Parliament over his breach of standards. According to a report from the Commons Standards Committee, Benton displayed conduct that was “very serious” by giving the message that he and other members were corrupt and “for sale”. If MPs approve the suspension, it could trigger a by-election in his constituency of Blackpool South, which previously leaned Labour.
Benton has been serving as an independent MP since his withdrawal from the Tory party in April. In an attempt to play the role of gambling industry investors, Benton was caught offering access to confidential documents, setting up meetings with government advisers, and lobbying parliament ministers in a meeting with newspaper reporters. As part of his penalty, Benton would have to endure a reduction in salary for the duration of any ban.
A suspension lasting more than ten days, if passed by the House of Commons, demands a recall request. Hence, if 10% of voters in Benton’s constituency sign the referendum after he is banned, a by-election will be held. Benton’s position in Blackpool is not entirely safe since he only has a majority of 3,690 and has been served in the past by the Labour party.
This occurrence adds to the list of by-elections following the misdemeanors of Sunak’s MPs. Currently, voters in the constituency of Wellingborough are deliberating on whether to expel Peter Bone over workplace harassment allegations. His case closes on December 19. Overall, Benton’s suspension serves as a caution to all MPs to uphold ethics and a moral responsibility to their constituents
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More