A parliamentary behaviour panel confirmed at the weekend that it has closed its investigation into the conduct of David Warburton, former MP for Somerton and Frome.
The investigation began in April last year when the former MP was suspended from the Conservative Party following allegations of drug-taking and sexual misconduct. David Warburton admitted that he had taken drugs, but denied any allegation of sexual misconduct.
David Warburton resigned as an MP last month, saying that he had experienced “appalling injustice” during the 15-month inquiry. A by-election is being held on Thursday 20th July to elect a new MP for this area.
David Warbuton had lodged an appeal against the findings of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) and earlier this month, the House of Commons Independent Expert Panel (IEP) had ordered a re-investigation into the allegations after the first investigation was found not to be of sufficient standard.
The ICGS has now confirmed that it “considered the matter closed” and that ‘the complainant has withdrawn her complaint.’
The announcement of the closure of the investigation was made just 48 hours after the former Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Stephen Irwin, described the parliamentary watchdog’s investigation as “inadequate”, as having “omitted evidence”, and upholding the appeal that it was “materially flawed” and “procedurally flawed.”
David Warburton said, “I know it’s extremely rare for the IEP to fully uphold an appeal by an MP. I’m, of course, delighted but the past year has been extraordinarily painful for my family and for me, and the personal cost has been incalculable. As a result – and in order to speak out about the appalling injustice I have experienced – I have had to step down as an MP.
“The stories about me first published across the media last April were false, malicious and fabricated. The legal experts in the IEP panel described the parliamentary investigation I was subjected to as ‘materially flawed’, ‘inadequate’ and ruled that it should have examined evidence that the complainant ‘colluded with witnesses to fabricate the complaint.’ If we take our democracy seriously, we shouldn’t have parliamentary processes that are so flawed and one sided.
“I’m relieved that this shocking and unutterably damaging process is now finally over and pleased finally to be vindicated, but the ICGS and parliamentary process has left deep scars and if we want people to want to come into public service, these processes need a complete overhaul – not just of its processes but of the dreadful and abusive system whereby a person is assumed guilty until proven innocent, their career and their life left in tatters.”
