UK parliament porn row: Lawmaker resigns, says sorry for ‘moment of madness’

Even as UK’s parliament faces immense criticism, 65-year-old British lawmaker Neil Parish, who has been suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party, has resigned and said sorry for ‘moment of madness’.

He admitted to watching the content twice. He also said his actions were something he was “not proud” of doing, as per media reports.

He seems to have also 'confessed' earlier and said he may have actually opened it by mistake on his phone, the reports said.   

This comes as the allegations of watching pornography in the House of Commons were levelled against the MP by two female colleagues. They had also complained that he was looking at the adult content while sitting near them.  

Also Read: UK’s female minister tells male MPs, 'Keep hands in your pockets'

An inquiry has been launched into this case. Until its verdict, the lawmaker has refused to resign as an MP or as environment select committee head. But he has also said that he will resign on being found guilty in the investigation.   

On Friday, Parish was suspended from his party after he reported himself to Parliament's standards commissioner Kathryn Stone.   

"Of course, it's embarrassing. And it's embarrassing for my wife and family, and so that's my main concern at the moment. I have a very supportive wife and I thank her for that," Parish told the BBC on Friday.  

Watch: Tory MP suspended over allegations of watching porn

Parish has also said that he would co-operate with the inquiry fully.  

When asked by reporters if he opened something on the phone by mistake, Parish said, "I did, but let the inquiry look at that."

If he is found guilty of violation of the code of conduct, the lawmaker may have to apologise to the Commons or face suspension or expulsion.   

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(With inputs from agencies)