Former Axminster MP Neil Parish may stand again

The former MP for Tiverton and Honiton is considering standing in the 2024 election.

Neil Parish resigned in summer 2022 after admitting watching pornography in the House of Commons.

Mr Parish said that he first viewed the explicit material on his phone by accident when searching online for tractors, but he admitted returning to the site deliberately on a second occasion. He was seen by other MPs who reported his behaviour.

Asked by Times Radio whether he would consider standing again, Mr Parish said: "Yes, at the moment I just don't want to quite leave it. When you leave so suddenly like I had to, there is so much unfinished business. Therefore, at the moment, I don't really want to leave it there.

 "I shall offer my services to the party – whether the party will have me or not is another matter.

"But then I have the option of also standing as an independent. There's a certain draw for me actually to have a shot as an independent. The next general election might be one where people might be looking for something slightly different than all the political parties."

This is the second time that Mr Parish has said he may stand as an independent.

Mr Parish was a popular MP who increased his support during the 12 years he represented the area.

His resignation in April 2022 triggered a by-election which was hotly contested.

Helen Hurford, who is part of Honiton Town Council, represented the Conservative Party in the election, but ultimately they were defeated by Richard Foord for the Liberal Democrats who overturned the enormous Conservative majority.