DAVID Warburton – the former Somerton & Frome MP – has passed away ‘unexpectedly’ at the age of 59.

It is believed the Conservative politician, who resigned from his seat in June 2023, was found deceased by paramedics at a flat in Chelsea, west London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers are treating the death of “a man in his 50s” as “unexpected but not suspicious”.

Mr Warburton resigned from his role as an MP – which he had held since 2015 – amid claims of sexual misconduct and drug-taking, which he denied, and was suspended by the Conservative Party in April 2022.

The allegations were later withdrawn and an investigation by the House of Commons Independent Expert Panel closed.

However, Mr Warburton resigned as an MP in June 2023 after admitting taking cocaine, with Liberal Democrat Sarah Dyke elected in the resultant by-election.

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At the 2024 general election, the Somerton & Frome seat was abolished, replaced largely by the new Glastonbury & Somerton constituency, which Ms Dyke won, with a majority of more than 6,600.

Somerset Councillor Dawn Denton (Conservative, Frome North) paid tribute to Mr Warburton, saying he would be “remembered for the wrong reasons”.

“He was kind, hardworking, supportive, approachable and I still receive emails from people he helped asking if I can continue what he started,” she said.

“There is so much he did for people behind the scenes which showed the character of the man.

“He will be missed by many. Sending lots of love to his children, family, friends.”