Peter Bone suspended from the Commons for six weeks

The 71-year-old has been accused of bullying and sexual misconduct by a former member of staff.

The House of Commons on Wednesday (October 25) approved the sanction against the MP for Wellingborough, who is sitting as an independent after losing the Conservative whip.

A recall petition will be arranged which will trigger a by-election if signed by 10% of voters in the Northamptonshire constituency.

Mr Bone continues to deny the allegations.

Peter Bone has denied the allegations made against him (Image: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)

Peter Bone alleged to have committed sexual misconduct

Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel upheld an earlier investigation that found he broke the MPs’ code of conduct on four counts of bullying and one of sexual misconduct.

They claimed Mr Bone “verbally belittled, ridiculed, abused and humiliated” the employee and “repeatedly physically struck and threw things” at him.

The investigation also alleged he imposed an “unwanted and humiliating ritual” on the man by forcing him to sit with his hands in his lap when the MP was unhappy with his work.

If a by-election is created by the recall petition then it could allow Labour to gain another seat on the Conservatives.

Labour has recently won by-elections in previous Tory strongholds including Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire.

Mr Bone has held the seat for the Conservatives since 2005 and retained it at the last general election with a majority of 18,540.