‘Tractor-porn’ ex-MP Parish eyes return to politics

Former Conservative MP and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee chairman Neil Parish, who quit after he admitted watching pornography, is considering a return to politics.

In an interview with Times Radio, Mr Parish said he felt he had “unfinished business” at Westminster and was considering standing at the next general election.

He resigned from his Tiverton and Honiton seat last May after two female MPs saw him watching pornography in the House of Commons on his mobile phone. The Tories lost the seat in a by-election to Liberal Democrat Richard Foord, following a string of embarrassing revelations for the party.

See also: Farming reacts to porn-watching MP Neil Parish’s resignation

Mr Parish later explained that he had been trying to research tractors when he stumbled on the X-rated material.

He had been chairman of the influential all-party Environment Food and Rural Affairs select committee since 2015. Sir Robert Goodwill has replaced him in the role.  

Mr Parish plans to put himself forward as Conservative candidate in his redrawn constituency of Tiverton and Minehead. But if the party refuses to accept him back, he said he could run as an independent.

“The seat that comes very close to my farm is the [new] Tiverton and West Somerset seat. I would very much consider standing there at the next general election,” said Mr Parish.