MP blames mishap after ‘porn’ claims

Conservative Neil Parish was rejecting calls to stand down immediately as an MP last night while being investigated for allegedly watching pornography in the Commons chamber, as he suggested he may have opened a video accidentally.

The select committee chair said he would be continuing his “duties” as an MP for Tiverton and Honiton while “cooperating fully” with investigators after he had the Tory whip suspended on Friday.

He had earlier been revealed to be the subject of the allegations, after the claims surfaced during a meeting of Tory MPs on Tuesday.

Mr Parish, a 65-year-old farmer who chairs the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said he had referred himself to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone over “an MP’s use of their mobile phone in Parliament”.

But he vowed to continue serving his constituents despite calls to resign or at least stop attending the Commons while under investigation.

“I will be cooperating fully with any investigation, and whilst it is ongoing I will continue to perform my duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton,” he wrote on his website. Later asked by broadcasters if he opened something in error in the Commons, he said: “I did, but let the inquiry look at that.”

Mr Parish said he will consider his position as an MP after the result of the investigation, telling reporters: “I will not remain if I am found guilty.”

He said he told his wife on Friday afternoon, adding: “Of course it’s embarrassing and it’s embarrassing for my wife and family, so that’s my main concern at the moment.”

Parish has represented the Devon constituency since 2010.

The whip’s spokeswoman said earlier on Friday: “Having spoken to the chief whip this afternoon, Neil Parish MP is reporting himself to the standards committee of the House of Commons. Mr Parish has been suspended from the Conservative whip pending the outcome.”

Before his identity as a suspect was revealed he was asked on TV about the claims earlier in the week.

He denied there was a large cultural problem in Westminster, despite senior Tory colleagues having decried it as “shameful”.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called for the prime minister to order Mr Parish to resign.

CLAIM: Neil Parish allegedly watched porn in the House.