Tory MP David Warburton suspended amid harassment allegations

MP for Somerton and Frome says he has ‘enormous amounts of defence’ and denies any wrongdoing

Tory MP David Warburton has been suspended by the Conservative Party amid a probe into allegations about his conduct (UK Parliament/PA)

A Conservative MP has been suspended after an investigation was launched into allegations about his behaviour.

David Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome, had the Tory whip removed after formal complaints were made by two women to the parliamentary harassment watchdog.

The Telegraph said parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) received a report claiming the MP, who sits on the backbenches, had behaved inappropriately.

Both complainants accuse Mr Warburton of unwanted sexual comments and sexual touching, according to The Sunday Times.

Mr Warburton denies any wrongdoing. The politician told the newspaper: “I have enormous amounts of defence, but unfortunately the way that things work means that doesn’t come out first.

“I have heard nothing whatsoever from the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. I’m sorry, I can’t comment any further.”

A spokesperson for the Whips Office said: “David Warburton MP has had the Conservative Party whip removed while the investigation is ongoing.”

Mr Warburton has been MP for Somerton and Frome since 2015.

The former businessman is chair of the all-party parliamentary group on music and has previously been a member of the European scrutiny committee.

He lives near Somerton, in Somerset, with his wife and their two children.

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme was set up in 2019 following the MeToo movement in Westminster.

Anyone working in parliament can contact the helpline about incidents of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.