Former Tory MP Scott Benton resigns from parliament, triggering by-election

A former Tory MP who was facing the prospect of being removed from his seat by voters has announced he is resigning from parliament - triggering another by-election.

Scott Benton, who represents Blackpool South, said it had been "the honour of a lifetime to represent our wonderful Blackpool community in parliament over the last four years".

"It's with a heavy heart that I have written to the chancellor this morning to tender my resignation as your MP," he said in a post on X.

His resignation will trigger a by-election unless Rishi Sunak calls a general election sooner - something that is unlikely after he ruled out holding an election on May 2 and said he is still aiming for the second half of the year.

Mr Benton, who was elected to the seat in 2019, was facing a recall petition after he was suspended from the Commons for 35 days over his role in a lobbying sting.

MPs approved the suspension last month without the need for a vote.

Mr Benton could have been forced out by voters had 10% of his constituents had signed the recall petition that was generated following his suspension.