MP Chris Pincher loses appeal against eight-week suspension

The former Tory MP Chris Pincher has lost an appeal against an eight-week suspension from parliament, paving the way for a possible byelection in his Tamworth seat.

A report in July said Pincher committed an “abuse of power” by drunkenly groping two men at the Carlton Club in London while he was the deputy chief whip the previous summer.

Pincher appealed against the sanction but not the findings. On Monday, it emerged he had been unsuccessful.

An independent expert panel found the original committee that investigated him “approached this task properly, with the correct considerations in mind”.

Pincher’s arguments for the appeal were judged to be “misconceived or erroneous” and the sanction was said to be proportionate.

If Pincher wants to fight on as an MP, then a recall petition will be opened. If signed by 10% of voters in his constituency, it would spark a byelection.

Should Pincher choose to stand down, then a byelection will automatically be called – though the date for it would be announced by the government.