Cllr Jake Bonetta says Labour stands ready to represent Honiton

Honiton Town Councillor and Leader of the East Devon Labour Group, Jake Bonetta, has said Labour stands ready to represent the towns of Honiton and Tiverton.

It comes after Neil Parish was revealed as the Member of Parliament who was seen watching pornography in the House of Commons.

On Friday evening Mr Parish said he would not resign until he had been found guilty by an independent inquiry. However, on Saturday afternoon he resigned.

This resignation will trigger a by-election for his seat.

When asked if he plans to stand for election himself, Cllr Bonetta told Nub News: "I'm sure many people in the Labour Party will have many decisions to make in the coming days, and I would not like to comment at this stage on my own personal intentions. That is for the Party members to decide.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, Cllr Bonetta said: "I support Neil Parish's decision to stand down as the MP for Tiverton and Honiton. Deliberately watching pornographic material within the Commons Chamber, an act he has admitted to, is a clear and gross violation of the parliamentary standards of conduct.

"This act of misconduct would rightly not be tolerated in any other workplace by anyone within our communities, and therefore it is only right that Neil Parish has done the right thing and avoided a long and painful inquiry.

"Labour stands ready and willing to represent the communities of Tiverton, Cullompton, Honiton and the Axe Vale with transparency, integrity and dignity.

"I look forward to campaigning hard for the community and by the community, continuing the work I have already been doing as a Councillor and will continue to do over the coming months and years."