Suspended Conservative MPs continue to vote in the House of Commons using proxies

Concerns were raised after it was revealed that two suspended Conservative MPs voted in the House of Commons using proxies.

Parliamentary records show how both David Warburton and Julian Knight took part in a series of votes, on social housing and police powers, this month.

They have been speaking out through a representative after pledging to stay away from Westminster while under investigation.

But Tory senior Caroline Nokes has issued a warning that the proxy voting system, intended for new parents and people with long-term illnesses, is being “abused” by those accused of wrongdoing.

Mr Warburton (left) and Mr Knight (right) spoke out through a representative after pledging to stay away from Westminster while under investigation.

Warburton had his Tory whip removed in April last year after he was investigated by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Complaints Scheme.

At the time it was reported that three women had complained about the conduct of MPs for Somerton and Frome.

Knight lost the Tory whip in December last year after being reported to the police.

The Solihull MP lashed out at a “campaign of rumors and innuendo” against him, but also vowed to “recuse himself” from Parliament until the matter is resolved.

He sunday time reported that Mr Warburton and Mr Knight have been using Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative MP for South Thanet, as their proxy and have produced a medical note to justify their use of the remote voting system.

Ms Nokes, chair of the Commons women and equality committee, told the paper: “It is important that we make it as easy as possible for colleagues with health problems to participate as much as possible, but doing so should not open up a system of proxy that can be abused.

“Colleagues who are being investigated for irregularities should not be allowed to take advantage of the measures put in place to help the sick.

“I am of the firm opinion that if you are under investigation and have chosen to self-exclude, you should not be able to abuse any system designed to help people with health problems.”

In a statement to local voters posted on his website last month, Warburton revealed how he had sought a proxy vote from House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

“The Speaker of the House is currently considering allowing me a proxy vote which, if given, will immediately give Frome a vote once more in the House,” he said.

‘My constituents rightly recognize the very real national problems before us, and I will continue to exert my influence to address them with the Government.

And I cannot express how urgently I look forward to the conclusion of the inquiries and the resumption of the House of Commons seat that I am privileged to hold on your behalf.

In July last year, Mr Warburton’s office had revealed how the MP had been readmitted to a mental hospital for urgent treatment after a “profound deterioration” in his mental health.

Knight told the Sunday Times that his proxy vote “is based on certified medical issues, professionally attributed to conditions arising from having this false and malicious accusation against me.”

“Three months after the complaint was made and made public, the police still refuse to interview me about the complaint and the clear motivations behind it,” he added.

‘This is despite repeated requests by my lawyer for them to do so.

“If the Metropolitan Police were to interview me, I have no doubt that their investigation into the sole allegation against me would be quickly dropped and police attention in respect of the matter would be diverted elsewhere.”