Rishi Sunak could be set to face another by-election in a tricky Red Wall seat after a fresh lobbying scandal beset the beleaguered prime minister.
According to reports in The Mirror, the Standards Committee is preparing to suspend Blackpool South MP Scott Benton for more than 10 days, which will trigger a process that will give his constituents the chance to remove him.
Benton had the Tory whip suspended in April after he was filmed offering to lobby ministers and leak confidential information on behalf of gambling industry investors.
He suggested to undercover reporters that MPs were able to get around transparency rules on corporate hospitality by putting a falsely low value on tickets to avoid having to declare them.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has been looking into allegations that his actions caused “significant damage to the reputation of the House” of Commons, and looks poised to recommend a suspension.
Sunak already faces a number of tricky by-elections, including Nadine Dorries’ former Mid-Bedfordshire seat and a test in Tamworth, both of which are set to be held on Thursday October 19th.
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