STORY
Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, is facing a 35-day suspension from the House of Commons following an investigation by the Commons Standard Committee. Following a sting by undercover journalists, Benton suggested behaviour which gave the impression of making personal advantage in breach of the rules of the House.
Daniel Greenberg, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, said in the report:
“In accordance with paragraph 43 of the Procedural Protocol, I consider that Mr Benton has breached Rule 11 of the Code as his actions during a meeting on 7 March 2023 were such as would cause (and as it happens have caused) significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons as a whole, and of its Members generally.”
Benton said in a letter to the Commissioner:
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise profusely, as I have throughout this investigation, for giving an inaccurate description to the fictitious company and I have since met with the Registrar to discuss the recent changes to the Code which govern this area. I would also like to apologise for the fact that this issue is having to take up your time. As a new Member of the House, elected in 2019, this meeting is the only occasion on which I have been approached in this manner and I was somewhat taken by surprise and caught ‘on the hop’ during the meeting by the nature of the fictitious company’s questions. It was a mistake, during the meeting, not to be clearer about what MPs couldn’t do, referencing the Code as appropriate. It is the honour of my life to serve my constituents in Parliament and I sincerely regret and apologise for this incident.”
A vote will now take place in the House of Commons and if MPs agreed with the proposed 35-day suspension then a recall petition would be issued which could lead to a by-election in Blackpool South. Benton was suspended from the Conservative Party earlier in the year after the allegations came to light.
RESOURCES
Text of Report (in .pdf format)
