Tory MP Patrick Mercer resigns over lobbying scandal...

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Patrick Mercer has dramatically resigned from the Conservative Party after being confronted by The Telegraph.



The Telegraph and the BBC's Panorama have been investigating the former shadow minister over a major lobbying scandal and is poised to publish a series of revelations about Mr Mercer tomorrow.

He was yesterday asked questions over his activities and was expected to be suspended from the Parliamentary Conservative party this evening.

However, the Conservative MP for Newark is thought to have resigned the whip and is poised to make a statement.

Mr Mercer’s resignation initially sparked speculation that he was preparing a challenge to David Cameron’s leadership. The MP has repeatedly criticised the Prime Minister and called for him to be replaced.

He was sacked from the Tory frontbench in March 2007 after he suggested in an interview that being called a “black bastard” was a normal part of life in the armed forces. He added that he had met a lot of “idle and useless” ethnic minority soldiers.

In a statement, Mr Mercer said: "Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.

"I am taking legal advice about these allegations - and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards."

"In the meantime, to save my party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative Whip and have so informed Sir George Young. I have also decided not to stand at the next general election."

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Did he jump or was he pushed?

[dutchman]

Tory MP Patrick Mercer's resignation 'David Cameron's worst nightmare'

Disgraced former Tory MP Patrick Mercer is to quit Parliament after a sleaze watchdog was poised to recommended he should be suspended from the Commons.

Speaking outside Commons Mr Mercer said he was going to do what he could to "put it right" for the people of Newark and for his wife and family "who have been under such pressure for the last year".

He added: "With a great heaviness of heart – and I'm hoping that the people of Newark will be able to tolerate me in the future, I'm hoping that they will – I'm going to resign my seat of God's county of Nottinghamshire in the town of Newark and I hope that my successor, who has been well and carefully chosen, will be the Conservative candidate."

Earlier, Commons sources confirmed the standards committee planned to suspend the now independent politician for six months when it releases the findings of its inquiry on Thursday.

The Newark by-election could provide an opportunity for Ukip leader Nigel Farage to contest a Westminster seat to capitalise on his party's popularity.

The Telegraph's Senior Political Correspondent Christopher Hope said although Mr Mercer held Newark with a Conservative majority of 16,152 in 2010, the by-election will cause a headache for David Cameron – particularly if Mr Farage decides to stand.