MP Accused Of Watching Pornography Vowed To Remain In Position

On Tuesday two female Tory MPs claimed during a meeting with senior party figures evening to have seen Mr Parish watching pornography.

After The Telegraph revealed that he was the MP accused of the behaviour, there were calls from opposition politicians asking for him to quit. 

Due to recent news, Neil Parish, the Tory accused of watching pornography in the Commons, has vowed to remain an MP as the claims are investigated despite calls for him to resign. 

Mr Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton, had the Tory whip removed on Friday and has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over the allegations. 

But in a statement published on his constituency website on Friday evening, Mr Parish said he would continue to serve his constituents. 

He said: "Following recent allegations regarding an MP's use of their mobile phone in Parliament, I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in the House of Commons. 

"I will be cooperating fully with any investigation, and whilst it is ongoing I will continue to perform my duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton. I will not be making further comments at this stage." 

Mr Parish is the chairman of the environment, food and rural affairs committee and was first elected to Parliament in 2010. 

The revelation ends days of speculation about the identity of the MP in question. Tory Party chiefs had refused to name him.

The party had initially referred the claims to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, which examines claims of bullying and sexual harassment.

But after being approached by The Telegraph on Thursday, a spokesman for Chris Heaton-Harris, the Chief Whip, said Mr Parish had also been referred to a second body. 

The spokesman said: "Having spoken to the Chief Whip this afternoon, Neil Parish MP is reporting himself to the Standards Committee of the House of Commons. 

"Mr Parish has been suspended from the Conservative whip pending the outcome of that investigation." 

It means the MP – who, given his committee chairman role, would be considered a senior Tory – now faces two separate investigations. 

Sue Parish, Mr Parish's wife, told The Times: "If you were mad with every man who looked at pornography, you would not have many wives in the world. 

"I don't understand [the attraction of] it. I'm a woman. Hence why the women were so cross. It's degrading. It's demanding. But on the other hand it takes two to tango. There must be women posing for all this.

"What’s going to happen? I've got no idea. It depends on what Chris Heaton-Harris says, I suppose. I don't think it’s going to carry on, is it? It's so stupid. He's such a good MP. He's such a good person."

t has also emerged that Mr Parish was asked for his thoughts about the allegations during an interview on GB News which aired before The Telegraph named him. 

The interviewer said: "It's pretty jaw-dropping, the suggestion that it's happened. I mean frankly, whoever it is, surely they would have to have the whip removed, wouldn't they?" 

Mr Parish replied: "I think the whips’ office will do a thorough investigation, and we will wait and see that result. And I think, you know, from that, then the decision will have to be made [about] what action will be taken." 

He argued that there was not a "culture" problem in Parliament, but added of the allegation: "It does have to be dealt with, and dealt with seriously." 

There have been calls for Mr Parish to step down as an MP. Thangam Debbonaire, Labour’s shadow Commons leader, said: "The Conservatives knew for days about the disgusting behaviour of one of their MPs and tried to cover it up." 

Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader, said: "If Boris Johnson had any shred of decency left, he would tell Neil Parish to resign immediately. In any other workplace, this would count as gross misconduct and the person responsible would lose their job. Parliament should be no different." 

Female Tory MPs expressed their shock. Nickie Aiken, a Tory MP, told The Telegraph the claims represented a "watershed moment" and said: "I hope the investigation will be quick and thorough. This whole sorry episode has lifted the ugly veil of the unacceptable behaviour undertaken by a minority of MPs in Parliament.

"I've been appalled hearing the experiences from women colleagues, journalists and staff this week recalling the sexual harassment they have had to deal with in Parliament. It is now time for all political parties to work together to call out such behaviour and ensure all MPs and all those who work in parliament are treated fairly, equally and with respect.