Rishi Sunak braced for another by-election after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton suspended from Commons

Former Tory MP Scott Benton has been suspended from the Commons for 35 days over his role in a lobbying sting – creating another headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

MPs approved the suspension of Mr Benton on Tuesday evening without the need for a vote – known as going through on the nod.

And he will now face a recall petition in his constituency of Blackpool south, which could lead to him being booted out of his seat and a by-election being called.

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Mr Benton had the Tory whip removed last April after suggesting to undercover reporters at The Times that he would be willing to break lobbying rules for money.

A subsequent investigation by parliament’s Standards Committee found he had committed a “very serious breach” of the rules and recommended a 35-day suspension from the Commons.

The backbench MP – who has sat as an independent since being kicked out of the Conservative Party – denied wrongdoing and appealed the suspension to the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), the body that sits above the Standards Committee.

But in a ruling earlier this month, the IEP said they “found no substance” in his arguments and dismissed the appeal.

The length of the suspension means that Mr Benton is now facing a recall petition, and if 10% of his constituents sign it, a by-election will be triggered in his seat.

It would take the number of by-elections held during Mr Sunak’s time as prime minister to 11.

Earlier this month, Labour managed to overturn five-figure majorities to win both the Kingswood and Wellingborough by-elections from the Conservatives.

Sky News has approached Mr Benton for comment.