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-27237419

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Newark by-election set for 5 June Newark by-election set for 5 June
(35 minutes later)
The Newark by-election will be held on 5 June after a writ was moved in the Commons by chief whip Sir George Young.The Newark by-election will be held on 5 June after a writ was moved in the Commons by chief whip Sir George Young.
The by-election follows former Tory MP Patrick Mercer's decision to quit the Commons when it was reported he was being suspended for six months by the Standards Committee.The by-election follows former Tory MP Patrick Mercer's decision to quit the Commons when it was reported he was being suspended for six months by the Standards Committee.
Mr Mercer said he was "ashamed" after being accused of asking questions in Parliament in return for money.Mr Mercer said he was "ashamed" after being accused of asking questions in Parliament in return for money.
He has represented the Nottinghamshire constituency of Newark since 2001.He has represented the Nottinghamshire constituency of Newark since 2001.
Mr Mercer was filmed by undercover reporters from the BBC's Panorama last year apparently agreeing to set up a parliamentary group to push for Fiji to return to the Commonwealth.Mr Mercer was filmed by undercover reporters from the BBC's Panorama last year apparently agreeing to set up a parliamentary group to push for Fiji to return to the Commonwealth.
The MP had already said he would not contest the general election next year and had been serving as an independent since May 2013.The MP had already said he would not contest the general election next year and had been serving as an independent since May 2013.
In a short statement, the former soldier said he would not contest the findings of a report into his conduct, to be published on Thursday, which will call for him to be barred from Parliament for six months.In a short statement, the former soldier said he would not contest the findings of a report into his conduct, to be published on Thursday, which will call for him to be barred from Parliament for six months.
He said he was resigning with "a great heaviness of heart" for the sake of his family and he hoped that his constituents would "tolerate" him in the future. The Conservatives have selected Robert Jenrick to contest the by-election while Labour - which held the seat between 1997 and 2001 - has chosen Michael Payne to fight the seat. The Liberal Democrats are still to make a selection.
"I am an ex-soldier, I believe that when you have got something wrong, you have got to 'fess up and get on with it," he said. UKIP leader Nigel Farage ended speculation that he might stand by announcing on Wednesday that he had decided not to take part.
His party would nonetheless "throw the kitchen sink" at overturning the previous 16,152 majority on behalf of their candidate, who has yet to be chosen, he said.