Neil Parish is likely to resign on Saturday as the MP is investigated for allegedly watching pornography in the Commons chamber. The Conservative source stressed MP Neil Parish’s resignation is not confirmed but described it as “likely”.
Senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes accused the Conservative whips of “dither and delay” in suspending Neil Parish from the parliamentary party over the pornography allegations. The chair of the Women and Equalities Committee told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I felt by leaving it until Friday before we knew that action had been taken by the whips that it felt like unnecessary dither and delay.”
Safeguarding minister Rachel Maclean added: “I agree with pretty much everything that she said. I think it is right that action has been taken, that the Chief Whip has taken the action he has taken. There clearly needed to be some time to establish the veracity, the facts of the case.” Told Mr Parish was not denying watching pornography, she said: “That’s right, he wasn’t.”
Senior Tory MP Caroline Nokes has said it will be “difficult” for Neil Parish to continue spending the required time in Parliament while under investigation for allegedly watching pornography in the Commons chamber. The chair of the Women and Equalities Committee did not call for her Conservative colleague to immediately stand down, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think it’s right those investigations are carried out before any further action is taken.”
Asked about him continuing as a select committee chair, she said: “That’s a matter for Neil to discuss with the party whips and to take a position on, but I think whilst he’s under investigation it’s going to make it very difficult for him to be in the Commons as much as he needs to be.”
