Following our meeting today I have decided to offer to temporarily withdraw from the parliamentary party in the Commons until the civil court case against me has been concluded.

I can assure you that I will continue to vigorously defend my position and that I completely refute the allegations made against me.

I’m doing this in the best interests of the party nationally and in Portsmouth and for my family. 

I will continue to work hard for my constituents in Portsmouth as I have always done.

Mike Hancock MP

He says he’ll be back. Good luck with that.