Sunak Faces Potential UK By-Election Spurred by Tory Scandal
- Tory MP Benton loses appeal against standards panel ruling
- Lawmaker’s suspension may trigger recall petition in Blackpool
Photographer: Andy Rain/EPA/Bloomberg
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a potential special election triggered by the downfall of a scandal-hit Conservative lawmaker, threatening a fresh test of his authority after the Tories lost two parliamentary districts last week.
Blackpool South Member of Parliament Scott Benton on Tuesday lost an appeal against a ruling by Parliament’s standards committee that he had committed an “extremely serious breach” of rules governing lawmakers’ conduct. That opens him up to a 35-day suspension from the House of Commons, giving his constituents the chance to oust him in a petition.