A TORY MP has had the party’s whip withdrawn after an investigation was launched into allegations of sexual harassment and drug use.

David Warburton, the MP for Somerton and Frome, is facing allegations from three women, while a photo has emerged of the MP apparently sitting alongside lines of cocaine.

The picture, published by the Sunday Times, is said to date from February.

Mr Warburton said: “I have enormous amounts of defence, but unfortunately the way that things work means that doesn’t come out first.”

The allegations against him are being examined by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

“I’m sorry, I can’t comment any further,” Mr Warburton added, on the grounds that he had not heard anything from the scheme.

A spokesperson for the Tory whips’ office said: “David Warburton MP has had the Conservative Party whip removed while the investigation is ongoing.”

Mr Warburton was first elected in 2015, with a majority of 20,268, equating to 53 per cent of the vote.

He was re-elected in 2017 and 2019, with majorities of 22,906 and 19,213 respectively.

The former music teacher is the current chairman of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on music and was previously a member of the Commons European scrutiny committee.