1 year ago
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Image source, PA Media
MPs have voted to suspend Peter Bone from the Commons for six weeks after an investigation found he had bullied and was sexually inappropriate around a former member of staff.
The move will likely lead to a by-election in his Wellingborough constituency, a former Tory safe seat polling indicates could flip to Labour.
Parliament's behaviour watchdog found Mr Bone had exposed himself to an aide and physically struck him.
Mr Bone denies the charges.
The Conservative Party has already withdrawn the whip from the MP, meaning he will not be able to stand for re-election as a Tory candidate and he currently sits as an independent.
MPs voted in favour of suspending Mr Bone from parliament for six weeks, without the need for a division. The suspension had been recommend by Parliament's Independent Expert Panel (IEP).
Philip Hollobone, Tory MP for Kettering which neighbours Mr Bone's constituency, called the expulsion was "a very sad day" in parliament.
"Peter has been an outstanding MP for 18 years, he has helped tens of thousands of local residents with difficulties they've had - that it should come to an end like this I think it is very sad for all concerned," Mr Hollobone said.
Asked about the possibility of a petition of Wellingborough constituents garnering enough signatures to launch a by-election, Mr Hollobone said "Peter Bone has been incredibly popular MP for a very long period of time."
If an MP is suspended for over 10 days due to misconduct, a recall petition is started. A by-election happens if at least 10% of local voters sign the petition, according to the Recall of MPs Act.
Who is Peter Bone?
- The 70-year-old has been active in Tory politics since the 1970s but did not make it to the Commons until 2005
- A prominent Brexit-supporter, he campaigned with Nigel Farage in the 2016 referendum
- Turned Wellingborough from an ultra-marginal into a safe Conservative seat, with an 18,540 majority at the 2019 election
- A leading voice on the right of the Tory Party, he briefly served as deputy Commons leader under Boris Johnson
- Was known for jokey references in Parliament to his wife Jenny as "Mrs Bone" - but the couple split in 2016 and he is reportedly in a new relationship
Mr Bone's former assistant told the BBC the experience led to him being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The ex-staffer said Mr Bone's "physical, emotional and psychological abuse" left him a "broken shell of the young man I once was".
The IEP upheld five complaints against Mr Bone sexual misconduct rules by indecently exposing himself to the staffer during an overseas trip.
The investigation was based on a complaint made to the body by a former member of staff, over alleged behaviour which took place more than 10 years ago.
Mr Bone appealed against the investigation's findings, arguing it had been flawed. However, his appeal was dismissed.
The watchdog recommended Mr Bone should be suspended from the House of Commons for six weeks.
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