EX-TORY whip Chris Pincher announced that he is quitting as an MP today after losing his appeal against a suspension for drunkenly groping two men — sparking yet another by-election.

The Tamworth MP said that he did not want to put any “further uncertainty” on his constituents and has “made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons.”

It sets up a second potentially damaging vote for the Tories this autumn, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceding they will be “difficult” for his party.

Mr Pincher had sought to reduce the potentially by-election triggering eight-week suspension recommended by the Commons Standards Committee for what was found to be an “egregious case of sexual misconduct” at London’s exclusive Carlton Club last year.

But Parliament’s Independent Expert Panel (IEP) dismissed his appeal on Monday.

The Tories’ fight to retain the seat has been complicated by the fact that the candidate they have lined up to fight the next general election in Tamworth is Eddie Hughes, the current Tory MP for Walsall North.

Mr Hughes ruled out fighting the by-election, saying he has a “commitment to my constituents until the next general election.”

The Standards Committee found in July that Mr Pincher’s conduct last summer was “profoundly damaging” and amounted to an abuse of power.

His actions were described as “unwanted, inappropriate and upsetting.”

Mr Pincher appealed against the punishment, arguing that it was disproportionate, but the IEP said Mr Pincher’s arguments were “misconceived or erroneous” and backed the committee’s proposed sanction.

He resigned from his government post after the incident, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin of Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister amid anger at his handling of the affair.

Mr Pincher subsequently lost the Tory whip and has sat in the Commons as an independent.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that he will be hoping to to secure the seat for his party.

He said that the people of Tamworth had been “desperately let down” by Mr Pincher and the Tories.

Sir Keir boasted: “The contrast this week couldn’t be starker could it? 

“I’ve just put my top team on the table through the reshuffle that will take us into the election, focusing on the country.”

The Treasury has been contacted over Mr Pincher’s resignation letter.