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Patrick Mercer MP

Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Counter-Terrorism.

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Stories involving Patrick Mercer

Cameron: Mercer has done the right thing

David Cameron says Tory MP Patrick Mercer has done "the right thing" by resigning the party whip over allegations that he broke parliamentary rules on lobbying.

The Newark MP, who will not now stand for re-election in 2015, said he decided to resign to "save my party embarassment" over the allegations, which are the subject of a forthcoming BBC Panorama programme.

In a statement the programme maker said Mr Mercer had used his position to lobby on behalf of the Fijian government.

"Patrick Mercer said he agreed to be a consultant for work he said was outside Parliament but he submitted five parliamentary questions which were all answered as well as an early day motion all in relation to Fiji," the statement said.

The Daily Telegraph also says it will tomorrow publish a series of revelations about the former shadow minister, who has said he will strongly fight the allegations.

"Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules. I am taking legal advice about these allegations - and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards," Mr Mercer said.

"In the meantime, to save my Party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative Whip and have so informed Sir George Young."

A Conservative spokesman said the Prime Minister supported the move.

"He thinks Patrick Mercer has done the right thing in referring himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and resigning the whip. It’s important that the due processes take their course.”

Mr Mercer is known as a critic of David Cameron, with newspaper reports in 2011 suggesting he had called the Prime Minister "a despicable creature without any real redeeming features".

Tory MP Mark Spencer said if the claims were true, it was a "great shame".

"These stories are never good for politicians and, you know, I think those of that put ourselves who put ourselves forward in public life have to be as squeaky clean as possible," he told the World at One.

Conservative MP Patrick Mercer said the Gurkha regiment could be cut as part of cuts to defence spending. He said everything is "up for grabs", adding that the Gurkhas are now "not so cheap" since they won a high-profile campaign for better rights.

Irish republican dissident groups are planning an attack on the Conservative party conference in October, according to reports. Tory MP Patrick Mercer said: "There are doubts over whether they have the capability, but the aspiration is certainly there."

Conservative MP Patrick Mercer has been accused by a former mistress of reneging on a "love pact" to move in together, leaving her with thousands of pounds worth of bills.

Terrorists 'target Tory conference'

Irish republican dissident groups are planning an attack on the Conservative party conference in October, according to the Observer. Tory MP Patrick Mercer said: "There are doubts over whether they have the capability, but the aspiration is certainly there."

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