British Conservative MP suspended over 'porn in parliament' allegation

Britain's ruling Conservative party on Friday suspended one of its MPs pending an investigation into claims he watched pornography on his mobile phone in the House of Commons chamber.

The identification of MP Neil Parish, 65, ends days of speculation since the allegation emerged on Tuesday, amid accusations of a misogynistic environment in parliament.

"Having spoken to the Chief Whip this afternoon, Neil Parish MP is reporting himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards," said a spokeswoman for Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris, who is in charge of party discipline.

"Mr Parish has been suspended from the Conservative whip pending the outcome of that investigation," she said, meaning he has been temporarily suspended from the party.

Parish wrote on his website that "following recent allegations regarding an MP's use of their mobile phone in parliament, I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in the House of Commons".

He said he would cooperate with any investigation and continue to perform his duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton in southwest England, despite calls for his resignation.

Harriet Harman from the opposition Labour party, known...