Peter Bone loses seat, causing new headache for Sunak ahead of by-election

The petition to review Peter Bone's future has been signed by 10,505 people. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Rishi Sunak faces another challenge — an election in the new year after people in Wellingborough ousted incumbent MP Peter Bone.

The petition for a recall on Mr. Bone's future was signed by 10,505 people, more than the 10 percent of voters needed for it. to lose his seat in the Northamptonshire constituency, which has 79,046 eligible voters.

In October he was suspended from the House of Commons for six weeks after an investigation found he had bullied a staff member and sexual harassment. He sits as an independent candidate after losing the Conservative whip.

The six-week recall petition process prompted by his suspension ended Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Mr Bone had held the Conservative seat since 2005 and retained it until the last election with a majority of 18,540.

He was found to have «committed many different acts of bullying and one act of sexual harassment» against employee in 2012 and 2013.

“I’ll do it.” I can say more about this'

The independent parliament watchdog upheld an earlier investigation which found he had breached the code of conduct for MPs on four counts of bullying and one of sexual harassment. The commission found that he exposed himself indecently to the complainant in the bathroom of a hotel room during a work trip to Madrid.

Mr Bone denied the allegations. The former minister was expelled from the Tory parliamentary party a day after the report was published on October 16.

After announcing the outcome of the petition, he said it «arises as a result of an investigation into alleged bullying and misconduct towards a former employee that allegedly occurred more than 10 years ago.» These allegations are completely untrue and have no basis in fact.»

He added: «I will have something to say on these issues in the new year.»

Mr Bone said that 68,897 people «chose not to sign the petition, representing 86.8% of voters», and by-elections will be held early next year.

“This seems strange because 86.8 percent of voters did not want to remove me from office or hold a special election, and yet we will still have them,” he said.

“The opportunity to vote for a fresh start «

Anneliese Dodds, chair of the Labor Party, said voters in Wellingborough had an «opportunity to vote for a fresh start» in the by-election.

She said: «The results of the recall petition show Wellingborough is ready to change. The Conservative Party has failed for 13 years, not least in terms of the “professionalism, integrity and accountability at all levels” that Rishi Sunak promised.

“Despite the serious allegations made against him, Peter Bone dragged his constituents through a lengthy recall petition, rather than doing the right thing and resigning.

“The people of Wellingborough now have the opportunity to vote for a new beginning with General Kitchen and the Labor Party. They deserve an MP who will stand firmly by their side and focus on their priorities.»