David Warburton: Conservative MP suspended after sexual harassment and cocaine use allegations

David Warburton has had the Conservative whip withdrawn after a series of allegations of sexual harassment and drug use have emerged.

The Somerton and Frome MP has been reported to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), a recently established parliamentary watchdog, after being accused of sexual harassment by three different women. A picture of Warburton, seemingly posing with lines of cocaine, has been published by the Sunday Times.

The Conservative whips’ office issued a statement reading that “David Warburton MP has had the Conservative party whip removed while the investigation is ongoing.”

Warburton made a brief comment to the Sunday Times, saying that he has “enormous amounts of defence, but unfortunately the way things work means that doesn’t come out first. I have heard nothing whatsoever from the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme. I’m sorry, I can’t comment any further.”

Shortly after issuing that statement, Warburton’s wife Harriet told the BBC that he had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital with severe shock and stress.

Warburton has served as MP for Somerton and Frome since the 2015 general election, having previously worked as a music teacher and starting his own entertainment/media business.

He’s previously attracted criticism for employing his wife as a personal assistant (nepotism laws introduced in 2017 don’t apply retrospectively, meaning it is legal for Warburton to employ family members).

Warburton was one of a number of MPs who take income as a landlord, but voted against a proposed bill to legally require private landlords ensure their properties are fit for human habitation.