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The suspension exceeds the 10-day threshold that would trigger a recall petition in his Tamworth seat if MPs approve it.<\/p>\n
This could pave the way for a by-election if more than 10% of constituents sign it.<\/p>\n
The Commons Standards Committee in July recommended a lengthy suspension for Mr Pincher after it found the MP\u2019s conduct last summer was \u201cprofoundly damaging\u201d and amounted to an abuse of power.<\/p>\n
His actions were described as \u201cunwanted, inappropriate and upsetting\u201d, in what amounted to an \u201cegregious case of sexual misconduct\u201d.<\/p>\n
Boris Johnson\u2019s handling of the row over his former chief whip was the final nail in the coffin of his premiership, triggering his resignation last year after an exodus of ministers from his administration.<\/p>\n
Mr Pincher, who remains MP for Tamworth, lodged an appeal against the committee\u2019s findings arguing it was disproportionate.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Rishi Sunak hit by double whammy by-election nightmare on MPs\u2019 first day back<\/strong><\/p>\n However, Parliament\u2019s watchdog, the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), on Monday dismissed his appeal and upheld the Standards Committee\u2019s recommended sanction.<\/p>\n The IEP\u2019s report said: \u201cWe consider that the appellant\u2019s arguments are misconceived or erroneous. The sanction is far from being arbitrary or disproportionate.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Pincher did not appeal against the Standards Committee\u2019s conclusion that he had broken the MPs\u2019 code of conduct by behaving in a way that would cause \u201csignificant damage to the reputation and integrity\u201d of the Commons.<\/p>\n But he argued in his appeal submission that his behaviour had not damaged Parliament\u2019s reputation as he had spoken at the private members club as a minister rather than as an MP.<\/p>\n He resigned as a Government whip after the incident and subsequently lost the Tory whip, meaning he now sits in the Commons as an independent.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Mr Pincher, who has already indicated he will not seek re-election, could choose to stand down as an MP following the appeal decision, which would automatically trigger a contest in his Staffordshire constituency.<\/p>\n His suspension could leave Rishi Sunak facing a tricky double by-election as the Conservatives languish in the national polls.<\/p>\n Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries\u2019 bitter exit last week means one is set to take place this autumn in her Mid Bedfordshire seat.<\/p>\n Mr Pincher has been comfortably voted for by Tamworth since 2010, and he won a 19,634 vote majority at the last general election.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4942370.jpg?r=1693836112277\")
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