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Newark by-election set for 5 June Newark by-election set for 5 June
(about 2 hours 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 after the standards committee recommended that he should be suspended for six months.
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 which called for him to be barred from Parliament for six months.
'Significant reputational damage'
In its report on the case, the Commons standards committee said: "While the rules permit MPs to have external interests, and to use the expertise they gain from them in the service of the House, paid lobbying is prohibited.
"The rule that no Member 'shall act as a paid advocate in any proceeding of the House' is very long-standing, and has been extended to prohibit lobbying approaches to colleagues, ministers or servants of the Crown.
"Mr Mercer's willingness to establish an all-party parliamentary group to further the interests of the 'Friends of Fiji' flouted that rule."
The committee confirmed that he had also tabled five parliamentary questions and a Commons motion about Fiji after being approached by the undercover reporter.
It found him guilty of "allowing payment to influence his actions in parliamentary proceedings", "repeatedly denigrating fellow Members" and having used "racially offensive language".
It concluded: "Mr Mercer inflicted significant reputational damage on the House and its Members.
"The suspension we propose is the longest put forward since 1947, with the exception of that proposed for Mr Denis MacShane, who was subsequently convicted of criminal offences."
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.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.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage ended speculation that he might stand by announcing on Wednesday that he had decided not to take part.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.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.