A RED Wall MP faces a Commons suspension after being stung in a gambling lobbying scandal.
Scott Benton – elected as a Tory but since stripped of the whip – could now be forced to fight a by-election after being recommended a 35-day ban.
AlamyMP Scott Benton was caught in a gambling sting[/caption]
The Blackpool South MP was caught by undercover Times reporters saying he could leak an upcoming government gambling crackdown White Paper and raise the issue in Parliament in return for payment.
Benton was secretly filmed in April promising “behind the scenes” information and bragged about his “easy access to Ministers”.
An MP using their position to lobby on behalf of firms is against Commons rules.
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Following a probe the Standards Committee today recommended a Benton receive a 35-day suspension from the Commons.
If approved by a vote of MPs, the punishment is strong enough for his constituents to trigger a “recall petition” that paves the way for a byelection.
It potentially tees up a New Year headache for Rishi Sunak who once again would face a test at the ballot box.
The Commons Standards Committee said Mr Benton’s actions were an “extremely serious breach” of the rules.
Its report blasted him for suggesting “that he was corrupt and ‘for sale’, and that so were many other Members of the House”.
It added: “He communicated a toxic message about standards in Parliament. We condemn Mr Benton for his comments which unjustifiably tarnish the reputation of all MPs.”
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