Independent MP Imran Ahmad Khan has today decided to stand down from the Commons – three days after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Elected in December 2019 for the ‘Red Wall’ seat of Wakefield, the backbencher had the Conservative whip removed in June 2021 after he was charged for the offence. The outgoing MP has now released a statement in which he says:
Owing to long delays in the legal process, my constituents have already been without visible parliamentary representation for a year. Even in the best case scenario, anticipated legal proceedings could last many more months. I have therefore regrettably come to the conclusion that it is intolerable for constituents to go years without an MP who can amplify their voices in parliament. Representing them has been the honour of my life and they deserve better than this. Consequently I am resigning as MP for Wakefield and withdrawing from political life.
He originally intended to stay on and fight his case in parliament but after a significant backlash to Crispin Blunt’s statement of support on Monday, he chose to stand down. Ahmad Khan’s seat was one of the most surprising Tory gains at the 2019 election, having been solidly Labour since 1931. Based on current trends, Keir Starmer’s party us expected to re-capture the seat, which Ahmad Khan won by just 3,358 votes on a turnout of 64 per cent.
The defeated Labour candidate last time was former frontbencher Mary Creagh, who marched up to Jeremy Corbyn in parliament after her loss to blame him for her defeat. Already she is being again mentioned as a possible candidate, were a contest to be held. Other suggestions being circulated include former Chancellor Ed Balls, out of the Commons since 2015. And you thought Strictly was a surprise…
Given the number of jumpy Red Wall Tories currently fearing for their seats, the results of the forthcoming contest in Wakefield will be eagerly studied in Westminster by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
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