Tory MP Scott Benton is quitting parliament almost a year after being embroiled in a lobbying sting.
The Blackpool South MP has written to Jeremy Hunt with “a heavy heart” tendering his resignation, meaning Rishi Sunak faces another tricky by-election in the seat.
His departure comes as a recall petition in his seat was ongoing, Benton having been suspended from the parliament after allegedly being caught offering to lobby ministers on behalf of gambling investors in exchange for money.
He was expected to be recalled from parliament by his constituents and face a by-election in the seat, which he would have been likely to lose.
