Andrew Griffiths’s resignation comes after British politics was rocked by the so-called pestminster sleaze scandal that saw a number of male MPs accused of inappropriate behaviour.
A wave of allegations began to surface in October last year when four male MPs, including a minister, were accused of harassing or propositioning young women inappropriately.
The furore that enveloped Westminster as more allegations emerged eventually saw the resignation of several big names.
Sir Michael Fallon was one of the first to step down when he resigned as defence secretary.
He admitted to once touching a journalist’s knee and acknowledges that “in the past I have fallen below the high standards we require of the armed forces”.
In December Damian Green was sacked as First Secretary of State over “misleading” statements about computer porn allegations dating back to 2008.
An inquiry began after a journalist accused Mr Green of sending her an inappropriate message and touching her on the knee in 2015.
The scandal also had consequences in Scotland, where Mark McDonald, the SNP minister for childcare and early years in the Scottish Government, resigned over past actions he said had been “considered to be inappropriate”.
Prior to last year’s revelations Stephen Crabb resigned as work and pensions secretary after sending suggestive messages to a young woman.
The Tory leadership hopeful was later cleared of breaching party rules after an investigation found that, while his behaviour fell short of the party’s standards and was “inappropriate”, it did not constitute harassment.
