Tory MPs face suspension for trying to influence court case involving ex-colleague
Five Tory MPs breached parliament’s code of conduct for trying to influence a legal case involving an ex-colleague, the Commons Standards Committee has found.
Theresa Villiers, Natalie Elphicke, Sir Roger Gale, Adam Holloway and Bob Stewart sought to interfere in a decision regarding ex-MP Charlie Elphicke, who was convicted of sex offences.
The committee has called for Villiers, Gale and Natalie Elphicke – the ex-wife of Charlie Elphicke – to face a one-day suspension and for all five to formally apologise.
Charlie Elphicke was sentenced to two years’ jail last year for sexual assault while he was a Tory MP.
The court heard that he chased one woman around his house while he groped her and sang “I’m a naughty Tory”.
The five Tory MPs wrote to senior members of the judiciary raising concerns that a more junior judge was considering publishing character references provided for Elphicke.
The five were trying to get these character references to not be put forward in the case against Elphicke.
“The letters signed and sent by the members in this case were an attempt improperly to influence judicial proceedings,” the committee said.
“Such egregious behaviour is corrosive to the rule of law and, if allowed to continue unchecked, could undermine public trust in the independence of judges.”
The MPs’ behaviour was found to have “caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity” of the House of Commons.
Natalie Elphicke, who succeeded her ex-husband as Dover MP, apologised but raised concerns about the committee’s ruling in a statement.
“My actions were solely motivated by my duty to represent my constituents who had raised serious concerns with me. Those who approached me about this matter were private individuals who I believe have no place in the public eye,” she said.
“It is of deep concern to me that the committee did not fully recognise this.”