This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22727903
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tory MP Patrick Mercer resigns over Panorama lobbying probe | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MP Patrick Mercer has resigned the Tory whip to "save my party embarrassment" over a BBC Panorama programme alleging he had broken lobbying rules. | MP Patrick Mercer has resigned the Tory whip to "save my party embarrassment" over a BBC Panorama programme alleging he had broken lobbying rules. |
| The Newark MP said he will not be standing at the next general election but there will not be a by-election. | |
| Mr Mercer, who has referred himself to the Parliamentary standards commissioner, said he was "taking legal advice" about the allegations. | Mr Mercer, who has referred himself to the Parliamentary standards commissioner, said he was "taking legal advice" about the allegations. |
| The Panorama programme will be aired "as soon as possible", the BBC said. | |
| In a statement, Mr Mercer said: "Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules. | In a statement, Mr Mercer said: "Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules. |
| "I am taking legal advice about these allegations - and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary commissioner for standards. In the meantime, to save my party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative Whip and have so informed Sir George Young. | "I am taking legal advice about these allegations - and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary commissioner for standards. In the meantime, to save my party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative Whip and have so informed Sir George Young. |
| "I have also decided not to stand at the next general election." | "I have also decided not to stand at the next general election." |
| 'Done right thing' | 'Done right thing' |
| A Conservative spokesman said: 'The prime minister is aware. He thinks Patrick Mercer has done the right thing in referring himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and resigning the whip.' | A Conservative spokesman said: 'The prime minister is aware. He thinks Patrick Mercer has done the right thing in referring himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and resigning the whip.' |
| "It's important that the due processes take their course." | "It's important that the due processes take their course." |
| Reacting to the news, Conservative MP Richard Ottaway told the BBC: "I'm very sorry to hear this. | Reacting to the news, Conservative MP Richard Ottaway told the BBC: "I'm very sorry to hear this. |
| "Patrick Mercer has been a good servant of the party for decades. The fact that he's going, I'm really disappointed over. I have yet to hear the reasons, but it's a sad day." | "Patrick Mercer has been a good servant of the party for decades. The fact that he's going, I'm really disappointed over. I have yet to hear the reasons, but it's a sad day." |
| In a statement, the BBC said: "BBC Panorama has been investigating lobbying and the conduct of MPs and members of the House of Lords. | |
| "The programme is still being made and will be broadcast as soon as possible. | |
| "The investigation has raised a number of issues related to those involved. Panorama has sought responses from a number of people including Mr Mercer." | |
| Race row | Race row |
| A former Army officer and shadow homeland security minister, Mr Mercer was sacked from the Tory frontbench by David Cameron in 2007 after making allegedly racist comments. | A former Army officer and shadow homeland security minister, Mr Mercer was sacked from the Tory frontbench by David Cameron in 2007 after making allegedly racist comments. |
| It followed an interview in The Times, in which he said: "I came across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and useless, but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours." | It followed an interview in The Times, in which he said: "I came across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and useless, but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours." |
| During the furore which followed he denied being racist but accepted his comments might have "hurt" soldiers who served with him and "embarrassed" his party. | During the furore which followed he denied being racist but accepted his comments might have "hurt" soldiers who served with him and "embarrassed" his party. |
| Later that year he was made an adviser on security matters to Labour minister Lord West. | Later that year he was made an adviser on security matters to Labour minister Lord West. |