The panel also described Mr Benton’s arguments against the recommended suspension as “misconceived or erroneous”, finding the sanction was “neither unreasonable nor disproportionate”.
In response, Mr Benton said he was “deeply disappointed” with the outcome, describing the findings as “unjust”.
A further by-election headache in Blackpool South could soon be on the cards for Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, following recent defeats to Labour in Kingswood and Wellingborough.
For this to happen, 10 per cent of eligible voters in the constituency would need to sign a recall petition, which would be open to them for six weeks once instigated by a local returning officer.
If a by-election followed the Conservatives would be defending a slim majority of 3,690 votes over their nearest opponents, Labour, from whom they took the seat in 2019.
A by-election in Blackpool South would be the fourth such vote held in 2024, while defeat would be the 11th time the Government has lost a seat in a by-election since the start of the current Parliament in 2019.
After Labour’s two victories in February, the outcome of a third by-election, in Rochdale, remains uncertain after the party was forced to withdraw support from its candidate over comments he made about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
