The former deputy chief whip at the centre of the controversy that led to Boris Johnson’s fall from office is reportedly standing down at the next election after his alleged misconduct.
Chris Pincher, who dramatically left Government last summer after allegedly assaulting two people at the exclusive Carlton Club in London, is said to be giving up his seat of Tamworth in Staffordshire.
In a statement given to Birmingham Live, Mr Pincher claimed he had told family and friends at the beginning of 2023 that he did not wish to stand again.
“I let the Conservative Party know then too,” the outlet quoted him as saying.
“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 paid tribute to Tamworth, where he as served as MP for more than 10 years and made “lifelong friends”, describing the job as a “wonderful privilege”.
Mr Pincher has been sitting in the Commons as an independent after a formal complaint was made to the parliamentary watchdog that examines allegations of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards opened an investigation into him in October, citing “actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its Members generally”.
The allegations against him sparked a row that helped end Mr Johnson’s premiership.
The former prime minister’s handling of the scandal unleashed a wave of pent-up frustration with his leadership, already damaged by lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and by-election defeats.
