SCOTTISH Conservative MP Ross Thomson who stood down as a candidate in the general election after being accused of sexually assaulting a Labour MP in a Commons bar has said he will continue to fight for Scotland's place in the United Kingdom.
Mr Thomson had said he had made the "hardest decision of my life" not to contest the seat for Aberdeen South at the general election.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney had said he reported Mr Thomson to Westminster's standards watchdog following the alleged incident last October.
Mr Thomson, who denies any wrongdoing, has now produced a video where he thanks people for their support in the past few days, and insists he will continue to fight against Scottish independence. But he also said there are some campaigns he will not now be able to finish, including his fight against the loan charge.
The HMRC measure is aimed at clawing back unpaid taxes from people who they say used so-called disguised remuneration schemes since 1999 and has been linked with a number of suicides.
Mr Thomson has previously said that a number of "anonymous and malicious allegations" this year had made his life "a living hell" and that he would be fighting to clear his name.
READ MORE: Tory MP Ross Thomson steps down after groping allegations
Mr Sweeney, who is the MP for Glasgow North East, told the Scottish Mail on Sunday he was left feeling "mortified" by the alleged attack in the Strangers' Bar at Westminster.
According to the paper, Mr Sweeney said he was "paralysed" with shock after Mr Thomson "groped" him in the bar.
He said the alleged incident took place in October 2018 after he had invited a group of his old Glasgow University friends for a tour of the Commons.
Mr Thomson said: "Today is my last day as the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and I just wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to all of my constituents for having elected me in the first place.
"It has been the absolute privilege of my life to represent the city I am proud to call home in the House of Commons."
Mr Thomson had issued a statement on Twitter on Sunday morning in which he strenuously denied Mr Sweeney's allegations, but insisted he would be a Tory candidate in the December 12 general election.
However, he later confirmed he was standing down from the job he "loved more than any other".
Mr Thomson, who has been an MP since 2017, added: "Reflecting back on the last two-and-a-half years it has been quite a turbulent time in British politics but I am proud to have been involved in a number of campaigns, such as being able to ban electric shock dog collars, to be able to introduce Lucy's Law, to ban the practice of upskirting, to introduced a bill on pet theft.
"There are some campaigns that I regrettably won't be able to finish, such as the loan charge, because i know it impacts so many people here in Aberdeen, trying to secure a free port for Aberdeen too, and also to fight for a farer share for Aberdeen.
READ MORE: Ross Thomson’s decision to step down as MP backed by Jackson Carlaw
"I also want to continue to fight to protect Scotland's place in the United Kingdom, because that is something that motivates me, it is something I feel with my heart, head, body and soul and whether I am in the Commons or not, I am still going to fight for that, because I believe it is in Scotland's interest to remain in the United Kingdom.
"So a huge thank you to everyone who has been with me over the last two-and-a-half years, who have shown me such great support over the last few days. I cannot thank you enough. I am looking forward to getting back to normality."
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