A former top Tory whose scandal triggered Boris Johnson's downfall will stand down at the next election.
Tamworth MP Chris Pincher resigned as Deputy Chief Whip last summer after allegations he had drunkenly groped two men in a private members' club in London.
He issued a statement at the time saying he “drank far too much… embarrassing myself and others” at London’s Carlton Club and would seek “professional medical support”.
The scandal brought about the end of Mr Johnson's crisis-ridden premiership after it emerged that he knew about previous allegations made against Mr Pincher - despite initial denials by No10.
It was the final straw for Tory MPs exhausted by months of sleaze and scandal, triggering mass resignations that eventually forced Mr Johnson to quit.
Mr Pincher had the Tory whip suspended last year, which means he has been sitting as an independent MP in recent months.
He is also being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over whether he committed "actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the House”.
Mr Pincher told BiminghamLive: “At the beginning of the year I let my friends and family know privately that I do not wish to stand for Parliament at the next General Election. I let the Conservative Party know then too.
“As I explained last year, I have been receiving professional medical support and I need to continue the process to improve my mental and physical health."
He said it had been a "wonderful privilege" to represent the Staffordshire seat for nearly 20 years.
Mr Pincher held his seat in 2019 with a 19,364 majority, making it an attractive prospect for the Tories at the next election.
More than 30 sitting Conservatives have already declared they won't stand again in 2024, including several young MPs once regarded as rising stars such as Red Wall Tory Dehenna Davison.
Former Cabinet Ministers Matt Hancock, Nadine Dorries, Sajid Javid and George Eustice have all decided to walk away, along with Tory backbench supremo Sir Graham Brady.
