An MP who has part of his constituency covering the western side of Preston has quit and says he will not stand at the next general election.
Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, which sees the most eastern edge of his constituency covering some of the Preston City Council area announced the news this afternoon (21 April) following claims published earlier this week by The Times which reported he misused campaign funds.
Mr Menzies is reported to have paid out £6,500 after being locked in a flat by “bad people”. The Times says the funds were paid out of local Conservative party money. He strongly denies the allegations.
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Mr Menzies was also accused of using £14,000 in party funds to pay for medical bills.
The MP was suspended after the claims but he has now confirmed he is standing down.
In a statement, he said: “It has been an enormous privilege representing the people of Fylde since 2010, but due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother, I have decided to resign from the Conservative Party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election.
“This has been a very difficult week for me and I request that my family’s privacy is respected.”
Lancashire Police said they are reviewing information about the claims.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “The Conservative Party is investigating allegations made regarding a member of parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.”
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