He was removed from the parliamentary party.
The MP from Tiverton and Honiton pulled the Tories’ whip on Friday.
Writing on his website, Mr Parish said: “After the latest allegations about the use of my mobile phone by a Member of Parliament, I turned to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in the House of Commons.
“I will co-operate fully in any investigation and, while it is ongoing, I will continue to serve as Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Honiton.
READ MORE
“I will not comment further at this stage.”
Asked later by television operators if he had opened something by mistake in the House of Commons, he said: “I did, but let the investigation consider this.”
Mr Parish added that he would not remain in office if convicted.
He said he told his wife on Friday afternoon, adding: “Of course it’s uncomfortable and uncomfortable for my wife and my family, so that’s my main concern right now.”
His wife, Sue Parish, said “everything was very uncomfortable” because she told the Times she did not know her husband had done such activities before.
An undated photo of the handout, published by the UK Parliament, shows Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, Neil Parish
UK / AFP PARLIAMENT via Getty Imag
“No. He’s a completely normal person, really. He’s a wonderful person. He’s just so stupid,” she said.
The 65-year-old is now awaiting the outcome of the investigation after a conversation with Tory Whip boss Chris Heaton-Harris.
Tory chief whip spokeswoman Chris Heaton-Harris said: “After speaking with the main whip this afternoon, MP Neil Parish is accountable to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
“Mr Parish has been removed from the Conservative whip pending the outcome of this investigation.
The allegations came during a meeting of Tory MPs on Tuesday.
Mr Parish is Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
He has represented the Tiverton and Honiton constituencies in Devon since 2010.
Following his decision to contact the municipality, officials said independent standards commissioner Catherine Stone would initially investigate Mr Parish.
A separate investigation from Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Complaints Scheme (ICGS) is also under way, which means that Mr Parish is currently facing two investigations into his behavior.
An ICGS investigation into a Member’s conduct can only be detected if the persons directly involved lodge a complaint.
There was anger among some Tory MPs that whip boss Chris Heaton-Harris failed to remove the whip from the MP at the center of the allegations earlier this week and suggested the issue be raised with the ICGS.
A spokesman for the House of Commons said he could not confirm or deny whether ICGS had already launched an investigation.
He added: “Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Complaints Scheme (ICGS) works on the basis of confidentiality for the benefit of all parties.
“Therefore, we cannot provide any information on complaints or investigations, including whether a complaint has been received or whether an investigation is ongoing.
Add Comment