Chris Matheson has resigned as Chester’s MP after being found guilty of sexual misconduct.
The Labour MP said in a statement he was sad to stand down, and apologised for the hurt his actions had caused the victim.
He argued his breach of the rules was minor, and also that he’d been found guilty of allegations he said were untrue.
He also said his sanction was disproportionate – but nevertheless gave up his parliamentary seat rather than take a four-week suspension from the House of Commons.
Mr Matheson’s full statement is posted below…
“I have today, with great sadness, tendered my resignation as Member of Parliament for the City of Chester.
“This follows publication of a report which had found me guilty of sexual misconduct.
“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.
“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.
“Despite provable factual inaccuracies in the sanctions report, my appeal against sanction was not even considered, for the same reason.
“Therefore, I faced a suspension from the House of four weeks. Whilst I believe that this is an excessive and unfair penalty, I cannot challenge the process further.
“I believe that the honourable and right thing to do now is to resign my seat and seek to rebuild my life elsewhere. I would ask for privacy for my family.
“This matter has also caused a great toll on my health, requiring my hospitalisation, and I ask that my privacy is respected while I recover.
“I will forever be grateful to my constituency, and my party, for giving me the honour to serve, and I apologise to the people of Chester, and to the House of Commons, for the disrepute I have brought.
“I once again apologise to the complainant in my case, for the hurt I have caused.”
