Rishi Sunak is facing another by-election in a red wall seat after Scott Benton resigned today as a MP
Benton, the independent MP for Blackpool South MP, was already facing a recall petition and potentially a by-election after MPs have approved a motion to suspend from the Commons for 35 days.
He lost the Tory whip last April after suggesting to undercover reporters at The Times that he would be willing to break lobbying rules for money.
An independent panel upheld a decision by the Standards Committee, which Mr Benton had appealed against.
In a letter today, Benton said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I have written to the Chancellor this morning to tender my resignation as your MP.
“I’d like to thank the hundreds of residents who have sent supportive messages, cards and letters over the last few months and who have urged me to continue and fight the next election.”
In 2019, Benton won a majority of 3,690 in a seat that had voted Labour since 1997.
