I’m resigning after porn moment of madness: Neil Parish MP

Neil Parish has told the BBC he is resigning as an MP after admitting he watched pornography twice in Parliament.

Mr Parish, who has represented Tiverton and Honiton in Devon since 2010, said it had been a “moment of madness”.

He said the first time was accidental after looking at a tractor website, but the second time – in the House of Commons – was deliberate.

He was suspended by the Conservative Party on Friday over the allegations.

Two female colleagues claimed they had seen him looking at adult content on his phone while sitting near them.

In an exclusive interview with BBC South West, Mr Parish said: “The situation was that funnily enough, it was tractors I was looking at.

“I did get into another website that had a very similar name and I watched it for a bit, which I shouldn’t have done.

“But my crime – biggest crime – is that on another occasion I went in a second time.”

He admitted that second time had been deliberate and that it happened in the House of Commons while he was sitting waiting to vote.

Mr Parish said what he did “was absolutely totally wrong”, adding: “I will have to live with this for the rest of my life. I made a huge terrible mistake and I’m here to tell the world.”

He said it was a “moment of madness” but denied watching the material in a way where he hoped other people would see it, saying he was trying to be discreet.

“I was wrong what I was doing, but this idea that I was there watching it, intimidating women, I mean I have 12 years in Parliament and probably got one of the best reputations ever – or did have,” he said.

Asked about why he decided to watch the material in the Commons, Mr Parish said he did not know and that he must have “taken complete leave of my senses” and “sense of decency”.

He appeared emotional as he said he was standing down after seeing the furore and damage it was causing his family, his constituency and local association.

“I was wrong, I was stupid, I lost sense of mind,” he said, adding that he was making a “total full apology” for his actions.

Neil Parish said last night that he would remain an MP while his conduct was investigated. But overnight, under significant pressure, he has changed his mind.

It would have been impossible for Mr Parish to avoid further questions about his conduct and he said he would quit because of the impact it would have on his family, constituency and local party.

The decision will trigger a by-election in what has been a safe Tory seat.

The party took 60% of the vote at the last election – but already the Liberal Democrats are talking up a rural backlash akin to North Shropshire.

The bigger picture here matters too. Westminster has been rocked by allegations of a sexist culture this week. (BBC)