Chris Pincher has lost his appeal against an eight-week suspension from the House of Commons following groping allegations against him.
The Commons Standards committee recommended the suspension in July after it found the MP’s conduct last summer was “profoundly damaging” and amounted to an abuse of power.
The suspension exceeds the 10 day threshold that would trigger a recall petition in his Tamworth if MPs approve it.
This could pave the way for a by-election if more than 10% of constituents sign it.
Pincher, who resigned from Boris Johnson’s government over the allegations, did not appeal against the breach, but appealed to the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) that the punishment was disproportionate.
However, on Monday the panel dismissed the appeal and upheld the Standards Committee’s recommended sanction.
The IEP’s report, said: “We consider that the appellant’s arguments are misconceived or erroneous. The sanction is for from being arbitrary or disproportionate.”
Pincher resigned as a government whip after the incident and subsequently lost the Tory whip, meaning he sits in the Commons as an independent.
The former prime minister’s handling of the row over his former deputy chief whip was the final nail in the coffin of his premiership, triggering his resignation last year.
Pincher, who has indicated he will not seek re-election, could choose to stand down as an MP following the appeal, automatically triggering a contest in his Staffordshire constituency.
As the Tories remain behind in the national polls, the suspension could leave a beleaguered Rishi Sunak facing a double-by election following the bitter exit of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries.
The decision to uphold Pincher’s suspension occurred hours before former chief whip Gavin Williamson was forced to apologise to MPs following bullying allegations.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan was also forced to apologise for an expletive-laden outburst following an interview with ITV News on the current school concrete scandal.
Unsurprisingly, reactions on social media were unforgiving. Here’s a pick of the best:
Related: Chris Pinched handed EIGHT-WEEK suspension after groping allegations upheld