MP Chris Pincher has lost his appeal against a proposed eight-week suspension from the House of Commons after he was found to have groped two men at a London club last year.
In its report, Parliament’s conduct watchdog said the former Tory deputy chief whip’s behaviour amounted to an abuse of power.
The decision means a by-election in his Tamworth seat is a step-closer as MPs will now vote on whether to approve the eight-week punishment.
The move is normally a formality and, should it be approved, it would trigger a recall petition which could then lead to a by-election.
Pincher has held his seat since 2010, winning 66.3% of the vote at the 2019 General Election.
An inquiry was launched into the behaviour of the Tamworth MP last year following an incident at the private members Carlton Club in central London.
Parliament’s standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg found that Pincher groped a then-employee of the House of Lords on his arm and neck, before groping his bottom.
He also found he had groped a civil servant’s bottom and his testicles.
The Tories are already facing a by-election in Nadine Dorries’s old seat in Mid Bedfordshire after she finally resigned last month.
