Chris Pincher, who lost the Conservative whip after being accused of groping two men, said he is seeking “professional medical support” as he hopes to return to his duties as an MP “as soon as possible”.
In a statement the Tamworth MP said he “respected” the prime minister’s decision to suspend the whip, adding he would “co-operate fully” with an inquiry into his behaviour.
“I respect the prime minister’s decision to suspend the whip whilst an inquiry is under way, and I will co-operate fully with it,” he added.
“As I told the prime minister, I drank far too much on Wednesday night, embarrassing myself and others and I am truly sorry for the upset I caused.
“The stresses of the last few days, coming on top of those over the last several months, have made me accept that I will benefit from professional medical support.
“I am in the process of seeking that now, and I hope to be able to return to my constituency duties as soon as possible.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced pressure over his delay in suspending the Tory whip from Mr Pincher.
Analysis: PM shamed into disciplining close ally accused of groping
Pincher and Johnson powerless over by-election threat
Jon Craig
@joncraig
Chris Pincher’s statement breaking his silence on allegations of drunken groping was both contrite and defiant.
It was contrite because he pledged cooperation with the inquiry now being undertaken by the Commons sleaze watchdog, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
But it was defiant because he served notice that he has no intention of quitting as an MP and hopes to return to his constituency duties “as soon as possible”, he declared.
That, however, is almost certainly out of his hands. The investigation may take some time, depending on the number of complainants and witnesses.
And if the outcome is a suspension from the Commons, there is likely to be a recall petition in Tamworth which could trigger a by-election which he and Boris Johnson – after his bungled attempt to save Owen Paterson – would be powerless to prevent.
Read full analysis here
Mr Pincher quit as Tory deputy chief whip when allegations of groping at London’s Carlton Club emerged on Thursday.
The MP “groped two men in front of others” at the club in the St James’s area of central London, a government source told Sky News.
One of them was an MP, and the second may also be a member of parliament, the source added.
He will now sit as an independent in the Commons but remain MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire.
But his future hangs in the balance as critics insist his position is untenable and are demanding a by-election.
Image:
Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher. Pic: Chris Pincher
The controversy engulfing Mr Pincher comes as a shadow cabinet minister claimed parliament is ‘not a safe place to work’.
Shadow armed forces minister, Luke Pollard, told Sky News that “wholesale change” is needed as he called for “higher standards” in politics.
https://news.sky.com/story/chris-pincher-seeking-professional-medical-support-following-groping-allegations-12644424
