A Tory MP under investigation for allegedly watching pornography in the Commons chamber has resigned, according to a statement from his local Conservative association.
Neil Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton, previously said he would “cooperate fully” with investigators after he had the Tory whip suspended on Friday, adding he would only consider his position after the conclusion of an inquiry.
But on Saturday he confirmed he would be stepping down as an MP.
He told BBC South West that he had watched pornography in the Commons twice; once accidentally after looking at tractors, however, the second occasion was deliberate.
The 65-year-old had previously admitted “accidentally” looking at adult content on his phone.
But he told the BBC he then viewed pornography for a second time in the chamber.
He said: “My biggest crime is that on another occasion I went in a second time.”
That was “deliberate”, Parish acknowledged, saying that this happened while he was sitting waiting to vote “on the side of the chamber”.
Asked why he had done so, Parish said it was “a moment of madness, and also, totally wrong”.
A spokesperson for Tiverton and Honiton Conservatives said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil Parish for his service to our communities over the past 12 years.
“We support his decision to step down as our Member of Parliament.”
Nicola Sturgeon said Parish’s resignation should be a moment for society to say “enough is enough” when it comes to misogyny.
The First Minister reacted to news of the MP’s resignation as she campaigned in Burntisland, Fife, on Saturday.
She told the PA news agency: “I don’t think there could really be any other outcome to what has come to light about this particular MP over the last few days.
“Watching porn on a mobile phone in the House of Commons when you’re there representing constituents is just unacceptable.”
She said sexism and misogyny were a “societal problem” which now needed to change.
The First Minister said: “So this is a moment I think to really say ‘enough is enough’. Not all men are misogynists, but all women do experience misogyny.
“And misogyny is by and large about male behaviour. So men have to change, and I hope this is a moment where they really think about that carefully and seriously.”
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