‘Disappointed’ Tory MP Khan ‘should get over it’ and resign, says Keir Starmer

Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan should keep his promise and resign his seat, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Khan said he would resign as an MP two weeks ago after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

So far, the Wakefield MP has not officially resigned from his seat, despite being expelled from the Tory party.

Speaking while in Stevenage ahead of next week’s local elections, Sir Keir said: “The disgraced Tory MP for Wakefield has said he will resign and he hasn’t resigned yet.

“Wakefield deserves better than that. They should handle it so we can have a by-election.”

On April 14, Mr Khan said he would stand down from his West Yorkshire seat following the decision, but has yet to formally do so.

In a statement, he said: “While the legal proceedings are ongoing, I do not think it would usually be appropriate for you to resign.

“However, due 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 court proceedings could take months.

“That is why, unfortunately, we have come to the conclusion that it is intolerable for voters to go years without an MP to amplify their voice in Parliament.

“Representing them has been the honor of my life and they deserve more than that. I am therefore resigning as MP for Wakefield and retiring from political life.”

To trigger a by-election, Mr Khan must write to the Treasury to confirm his resignation, where he will be appointed crown administrator and bailiff of the three Chiltern hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham. The position requires MPs to vacate their seats.

Mr Khan was found guilty of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court earlier this month.

It was revealed that Mr Khan forced the boy to drink gin at a party 14 years ago in Staffordshire before dragging him upstairs, pushing him onto a bed and asking him to look at pornography, according to a law court.

He has now apologized to his family and community for the “humiliation” but said he intends to clear his name.

His legal team has vowed to appeal the conviction.