MPs Tiverton and Honiton withdrew the Tory whip on Friday. Writing on his website, Mr Parish said: “Following recent complaints about the use of mobile phones by a Member of Parliament, I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in the House of Commons. “I will cooperate fully in any investigation, and as long as it is ongoing, I will continue to serve as an MP for Tiverton and Honiton.
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“I will not make any further comments at this stage.” Asked if he had accidentally opened something in the Commons, he said: “I did, but let the investigation look into it.” 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 embarrassing and it’s embarrassing for my wife and family, so that’s my main concern right now.” Sue Paris’s wife said it was “very embarrassing” as she told the Times she did not know her husband had done similar activities in the past. An undated photo of a pamphlet released by the UK Parliament shows Tiverton and Honiton Conservative MP Neil Parish / PARLIAMENT of the UK / AFP via Getty Imag “No. He’s a very normal guy, really. He’s a great guy. He’s just so stupid,” he said. The 65-year-old is now awaiting the outcome of the investigation after a conversation with Tory Whip leader Chris Heaton-Harris. A spokesman for Tory Whip leader Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Speaking to Chief Whip this afternoon, MP Neil Parish is referring to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. “Mr Parish has been excluded from the Conservative whip pending the outcome of this investigation.” The allegations surfaced during a meeting of Tory lawmakers on Tuesday. Mr Parish is chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He has represented Tiverton and Honiton constituencies in Devon since 2010. Following his decision to refer to Commons authorities, officials said that Independent Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone would initially investigate Mr Paris. A separate inquiry into Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is also ongoing, which means Mr Parish is currently facing two inquiries into his conduct. An ICGS inquiry into a Member’s conduct can only be initiated if the persons directly involved lodge a complaint. There has been outrage from some Tory MPs that lead whip Chris Heaton-Harris has failed to remove the whip from the MP at the center of the demands earlier this week and suggested that the matter be referred to the ICGS. A House of Commons spokesman said he could not confirm or deny that the ICGS had now launched an investigation. He added: “Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Appeals System (ICGS) operates on the basis of confidentiality for the benefit of all parties. “Therefore, we can not provide information about complaints or investigations, including whether a complaint has been received or whether the investigation is ongoing.”
