Benton was suspended as a Tory MP earlier this year after he was filmed offering to lobby ministers for a fake company in a newspaper sting.
Rishi Sunak is facing a fresh by-election headache, with a former Tory MP facing a 35-day suspension from the Commons.
Blackpool South MP Scott Benton faces being suspended after the Commons standards watchdog found he committed a “very serious breach” of lobbying rules.
Benton was suspended as a Tory MP earlier this year after he was filmed offering to lobby ministers for a fake company in a newspaper sting.
Parliament’s standards committee said he had repeatedly indicated “his willingness to disregard the House’s rules”.
It said a “serious sanction” was needed, recommending he be suspended from Parliament for 35 days.
If Parliament backs the punishment, the length of the suspension could trigger a by-election in Mr Benton’s Red Wall constituency.
More to follow
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.