A CAMPAIGN group has written to the standards watchdog calling for an investigation into Nadine Dorries following a poll which suggested more than half of people believe her absence has damaged Parliament’s reputation.
Director of Unlock Democracy Tom Brake has called for an inquiry after the group commissioned an Opinium survey that found 55% of people though Dorries had caused significant damage by failing to speak in Parliament and delaying her decision to quit.
The survey of 2000 people explained Dorries announced she was stepping down with immediate effect in early June although she is yet to officially quit.
It added that she has not spoken in Parliament in more than a year despite continuing to receive her full salary as an MP.
Given the option of whether or not this significantly damaged the reputation of Parliament, 55% said it had done so, while 22% said it had not and 23% said they didn’t know.
Standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg had previously written to the group saying it was an extremely high bar for an investigation into an MP on these grounds and that it had not been proven that Dorries’ actions had caused significant damage.
The MP and former culture secretary (below) made a written contribution in parliament when she laid a ministerial statement in early September 2022.
She last voted in the House of Commons in April while the Prime Minister has been among those to publicly criticise her.
“I think people deserve to have an MP that represents them, wherever they are. It’s just making sure your MP is engaging with you, representing you, whether that’s speaking in Parliament or being present in their constituencies doing surgeries, answering your letters.
“That’s the job of an MP and all MPs should be held to that standard”, Sunak previously told LBC.
Dorries said she was quitting Parliament to trigger a by-election when former prime minister Boris Johnson stood down as an MP.
The National has approached Dorries for comment.
