Tory MP suspended for breach of lobbying rules

MPS have agreed to suspend a Tory MP after he was found to have displayed a “very cavalier” attitude to the rules in a series of lobbying breaches.

Andrew Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, will be suspended from the Commons for five sitting days from Tuesday. He should have declared his relationship with Cheshire-based firm Mere Plantations as he made multiple representations.

He appealed against the recommendation to suspend him, but Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel dismissed it “on all grounds”.

The suspension was agreed in the Commons unopposed, but Mr Bridgen was not able to attend.