Rishi Sunak is bracing for the Conservatives to have to fight another by-election after after former UK Government whip Chris Pincher was recommended for an eight-week suspension for drunkenly groping two men.

Mr Pincher, who no longer sits as a Conservative, quit as deputy chief whip last summer after being accused of assaulting two fellow guests at the Carlton Club in London.

Now a damning report by the Standards Committee has found his conduct “completely inappropriate, profoundly damaging to the individuals concerned, and represented an abuse of power”.

Chris Pincher is facing a by-election and the end of his parliamentary career.

Parliament’s standards watchdog recommended an eight-week suspension, which, if approved by MPs, could see a by-election in his Tamworth seat.

The Standards Committee report said: “Mr Pincher’s conduct caused significant damage to the reputation of the Government and to the Prime Minister who appointed him.

“But this was also an egregious case of sexual misconduct in the presence of several other MPs, two of whom thought the events represented so significant a breach of acceptable behaviour that they raised the matter immediately with the Chief Whip and provided witness statements.

“It is therefore self-evident that Mr Pincher’s conduct, which led to extensive public commentary in the media regarding the reputation and integrity of all MPs, had a significant negative impact on the reputation of the whole House.”

Mr Pincher’s conduct was also “deeply inappropriate and had a significant impact on the individuals involved”, the committee said. One witness stated they had become “increasingly anxious” as a result of the incident.

The report said Mr Pincher had caused “significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House”. The Standards Committee added that an “especially grave” aspect of his conduct related to an “abuse of power”.

It explained: “Sexual misconduct of this nature, by a serving senior Member of the House in such a situation, also involves an abuse of power. Mr Pincher was the Government deputy chief whip at the time and therefore in a position of significant power and authority.”

One witness said he was “fearful” about whether the incident would affect his “job and future career plans”, while another noted Mr Pincher was “well connected”, according to the report.

“Whether Mr Pincher intended to abuse that position of power is immaterial – objectively, he did,” the watchdog said.

A civil servant who was a witness in the investigation said Mr Pincher touched his bottom before squeezing his testicles for several seconds.

He said: “The incident with Mr Pincher has significantly impacted me. I have become increasingly anxious as a result of the incident, and I am now taking medication to manage my anxiety.

“I am also fearful about whether this incident will impact my job and future career plans. After the incident, I stopped exercising, which has resulted in my gaining a lot of weight.”

It was his handling of the Mr Pincher affair that led to the end of former prime minister Boris Johnson, who was already battling to remain in the role while dogged by Partygate allegations.

Mr Johnson had appointed the MP to the senior role overseeing party discipline despite being aware of an official complaint about Mr Pincher’s prior behaviour, and joking about it with colleagues.

If 10 per cent of Tamworth voters sign a recall petition, then Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives, reeling in the national polls, will have to defend another constituency won by the Tories in 2019.

Mr Pincher denied breaching the code of conduct, but told the investigation he was “very sorry” for his actions, which he is unable to recall.

He admits he was “heavily intoxicated”, but has expressed “genuine contrition” and taken responsibility for his actions, the committee said.

In a separate statement, Mr Pincher said he apologised “sincerely” and would not fight to remain as Tamworth’s MP.

“I resigned as deputy chief whip and have already said that I will not seek re-election,” he said. “I have sought professional medical help, which is ongoing and has been beneficial to me, for which I am grateful.”

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner called on Chris Pincher to resign as an MP.

She said: “Chris Pincher’s actions are shocking. But what’s even worse, is the way the Conservative party protected him, even promoting him despite a previous investigation into his conduct.

“Chris Pincher should now do the decent thing and resign as an MP. The people of Tamworth and the surrounding villages deserve more from their Parliamentary representative.”

The Liberal Democrats urged the Prime Minister to “show some backbone” by voting to suspend Mr Pincher when the report goes before the Commons.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was for Mr Pincher to decide whether he should quit Parliament.

Mr Sunak’s spokesman, asked whether Mr Pincher should resign, said: “The report raises serious issues. It is really a question for the MP. He is not a member of Government, so it is not one for me.”

The official said he could not say whether the Prime Minister would participate in any Commons vote on the sanction recommended.

Two of three by-elections already due on July 20 were triggered by the resignations of Mr Johnson and his ally Nigel Adams.

The third was prompted by the resignation of David Warburton amid allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use.

Mr Pincher has been comfortably voted for by Tamworth since 2010, and he won a 19,634-vote majority at the last general election.

Former Tory whip Chris Pincher facing eight week suspension and by-election over groping claims

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