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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63344752
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Labour MP Christian Matheson resigns over sexual misconduct | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Christian Matheson said he had resigned "with great sadness" | |
| Labour MP Christian Matheson has quit after a parliamentary watchdog recommended he be suspended for "serious sexual misconduct". | |
| Two allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Matheson by a former member of his staff have been upheld. | Two allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Matheson by a former member of his staff have been upheld. |
| The MP for Chester allegedly invited her on a "sexually motivated" private trip abroad, the report said. | |
| He admitted he had committed a minor breach of the code and tendered his resignation with "great sadness". | |
| The Independent Expert Panel parliamentary watchdog had recommended the Labour MP was suspended from the Commons for four weeks for "serious sexual misconduct". | |
| According to the report, the invitation for the trip abroad "was sexually motivated, unwanted, and had placed the complainant under pressure and intimidated her". | |
| During a work event outside Parliament, he also "linked arms with her and made personal comments about her appearance while looking at her suggestively". | |
| The report also found he made her hold his hand as they left and insisted on accompanying her to a bus stop and once there invited her back to his flat, kissed her twice on the forehead and attempted to kiss her on the mouth. | |
| The commissioner concluded these were all unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances. | |
| 'Minor breach' | |
| In his resignation statement, Mr Matheson said: "From the start I accepted I had committed a minor breach of the code and had hoped that an honest and open approach would stand me in a fair light. | |
| "This has proven not to be the case and I am dismayed that I have been found guilty of several allegations that I know to be untrue." | |
| He added: "Indeed my insistence on what I know to be true - that I had no sexual motivation in this matter - was held against me as a refusal to accept my guilt, and caused an increased sanction which I felt was disproportionate." | |
| Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk |