His most recent work in Parliament was launching an inquiry into marine mammals, which will look into their welfare in UK waters and worldwide.
He described this as a 'badge of honour'. He was recently among more than 280 MPs to be sanctioned by Vladimir Putin's regime for comments he had made in Parliament in support of Ukraine. Mr Parish's other interests include African politics, according to an online biography. During the 2000 Presidential elections in Zimbabwe, he acted as an election monitor and criticised the conduct of Robert Mugabe's regime.įollowing this, Robert Mugabe banned Neil from re-entering the country, a ban that remains in place to this day. Mr Parish is known to indulge in stunts, and while an MEP drove a hybrid car from Brussels toĪlongside rural issues, he is also interested in animal welfare, and launched a select committee inquiry into the treatment of domestic pets, including cats, dogs and horses. The same person adds with a sigh: ''He's a pretty nice guy actually''.' 'One of his political opposites in the Parliament describes Parish as ''personable'' – it is difficult to find anyone who dislikes him – but says he suspects him of being ''shallow'', accusing him of a tendency to jump on other people's bandwagons for the sake of publicity. He is a whirlwind of activity, giving the impression he never stays still for very long. It continued: 'Shorter than average and slightly rotund, Parish makes up in personality what he lacks in height. Writing on his website, he said: 'I will be cooperating fully with any investigation, and whilst it is ongoing I will continue to perform my duties as MP for Tiverton and Honiton.' This evening he was facing renewed calls to quit from opposition parties. But in a statement tonight he vowed to continue working as an MP. 'I don't think there's necessarily a huge culture (of misogyny) here but I think it does have to be dealt with and dealt with seriously. He then added: 'If you've got sort of 650 members of parliament in what is a very intense area, you are going to get people that step over the line. Mr Parish, who has been an MP since 2010 and is chair of the cross-party Environment Committee, has referred himself to the standards watchdog over allegations that he had been seen watching adult material in the House by two female colleagues.Īppearing on GB News earlier this week, Mr Parish himself said the claims had to be dealt with 'seriously' and backed Tory whips to conduct a 'thorough investigation'. The 65-year-old had the party whip suspended this afternoon after finally being identified as the man allegedly spotted browsing smut by Tory women, following days of fevered speculation. The Tiverton and Honiton MP told GB News this week that Westminster could be 'intense' and 'you are going to get people that step over the line' when asked about the latest sleaze scandal to rock Westminster. But I will still await the findings of the inquiry.' When asked if he understood why people were upset, Mr Parish said: 'Of course I do and I apologise for that. He said: 'I’d just been to a surgery in Honiton and this is God’s own truth, the mobile phone was completely flat – I had to come back on the M5 otherwise I would have spoken to her sooner.’ This afternoon, a visibly upset Mr Parish spoke to reporters outside his home and said he'd been unable to speak to his wife immediately after referring himself to the standards watchdog. Mrs Parish described her husband as a good person and MP, and insisted the drama was 'so stupid'. I don't know whether it's ever happened before,' she told The Times. I've just no idea what happens in these circumstances. 'These ladies were quite right to be as as they were. He would never just sit there with people looking. 'People shouldn't be looking at pornography. Mrs Parish said: 'It was all very embarrassing. He said he would quit if he was found guilty following an investigation and apologised for the incident, adding that he had only told his wife this afternoon. Meanwhile, Mr Parish was asked whether he opened a file 'in error', to which he replied: 'I did, but let the inquiry look at that.' Mr Parish's wife of 40 years Susan said she was completely unaware of her husband having done such things in the past. The wife of porn probe MP Neil Parish has told an interviewer that the allegations against her husband are 'very embarrassing' while he refuses to quit the House of Commons after having the whip withdrawn, claiming he viewed the 'x-rated site by mistake'.