Exclusive: MP Scott Benton Loses Appeal Against Commons Ban
The Loss of Appeal
Red Wall MP Scott Benton has lost his appeal against a 35-day Commons ban for his involvement in a gambling lobby scandal. The Blackpool South MP was caught by undercover Times reporters promising to leak upcoming government gambling policies in exchange for payment, a behavior that violates Commons rules.
Punishment Upheld
The Commons Standards Committee recommended a 35-day suspension for Benton, and after his appeal was rejected, the punishment awaits approval through a vote by MPs. If approved, his constituents could initiate a “recall petition,” potentially triggering a byelection. This creates additional electoral challenges for Rishi Sunak, who would face another test at the ballot box.
Condemnation by the Standards Committee
The committee deemed Benton’s actions to be an “extremely serious breach” of Commons rules, stating that his behavior communicated a toxic message about standards in Parliament. The report also condemned Benton for unfairly tarnishing the reputation of all MPs.