By Ben Kerrigan-
Blackpool South MP Scott Benton(pictured) has been recommended for a 35-day suspension by the Commons Standards Committee after being caught in a lobbying sting.
The former Tory MP, who lost the party whip after allegations emerged, faces potential repercussions, including the possibility of a by-election if the Commons supports the punishment.
Benton’s actions were described by the committee as an “extremely serious breach” of parliamentary rules, marking a severe indictment of his conduct.
The committee emphasized that Benton’s messaging to undercover reporters, posing as representatives from a fictitious betting firm, conveyed a damaging perception of corruption within the House of Commons.
“The message he gave to the undercover reporters was that he was corrupt and ‘for sale,’ and that so were many other Members of the House,” the Standards Committee’s report stated. “He communicated a toxic message about standards in Parliament.
We condemn Mr Benton for his comments, which unjustifiably tarnish the reputation of all MPs.”
The committee recommended a 35-day suspension for Benton, a move that could potentially trigger a by-election.
This development comes after Benton, the former chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Betting and Gaming, was approached by undercover reporters in March.
Despite Benton’s insistence that he did not agree to activities in breach of the rules, the committee found that he suggested lobbying ministers, arranging meetings with government advisers, and offering access to confidential documents.
The case against Benton has raised broader concerns about the reliance on lobbying and the need for ethical standards within the Parliament.
Notably, Benton’s conviction was not solely based on medical evidence but on statements made during the undercover operation.
In a letter to the committee, Benton expressed regret for his comments, acknowledging that the meeting was a lapse in judgment. He offered “unequivocal apologies for the inaccurate statements” and asserted that he complied with the letter and spirit of the rules.
However, the committee emphasized the severity of Benton’s breach, stating that he “made statements that other Members had previously breached and/or circumvented the House’s rules and would be willing to do so in the future in return for payment.”
The report underlined the importance of Parliament decisively dealing with cases that demonstrate a member’s unworthiness for public office.
If MPs approve the 35-day suspension, Benton could face a by-election, initiated if 10% of eligible voters in Blackpool South sign a petition calling for it. The Shadow Commons leader, Lucy Powell, deemed the report “damning” and highlighted it within the context of broader Tory controversies.
“This is not an isolated case but comes off the back of a wave of Tory sleaze and scandal,” Powell remarked. “Labour will restore standards in public life, drumming the value of service into our politics and overseeing a total crackdown on cronyism.”