When I resigned as a PPS at the Foreign Office a month ago, I did so in order to sit in judgment on the Prime Minister as a Member of the Privileges Committee.
If we were to find that he “knowingly mislead” the House, it would amount to contempt of Parliament which is a resignation matter.
I made this decision at the time because I believe that standards in public life matter. This was of greater importance to me than my role as Ministerial Aide, even though it had been a privilege to be involved with the United Kingdom’s diplomatic and military efforts to support Ukraine at the start of this year; of which the Government should be proud.
As I have said before, all members of the committee made commitments not to discuss the matters under consideration to maintain the integrity of the Parliamentary process (and you may have read about various objections to Chris Bryant and Harriet Harman on the committee which have been reported in the national newspapers).
However, I do not consider the issue relating to Chris Pincher to have anything to do with our inquiry and it is time my constituents heard my view. It is disgraceful that a known sexual predator was elevated to any role in Government, let alone one that involved the welfare of junior MPs. And I regret that it is another example of appalling behaviour by politicians which is having a corrosive effect upon public trust.
Every time I walk into Parliament, I feel an extraordinary sense of privilege and the responsibility that comes with representing my home in Parliament.
I have always sought to represent my constituents with the seriousness, energy and commitment that they deserve. I do not believe this to be possible under the current leadership.
