Conservative MP David Sweet resigns from House of Commons ethics committee after U.S. trip

Conservative MP David Sweet resigned as chair of the House of Commons ethics committee after travelling to the U.S. over the holidays.

Sweet, who represents the Hamilton-area riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook, made the announcement in a series of tweets late Monday afternoon.

4/5 I am currently out of the country with my wife having reached this difficult decision, and will be back in Hamilton soon.

I have resigned my role as Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy & Ethics and will not be seeking re-election as MP.

— David Sweet (@DavidSweetMP) January 4, 2021

He also announced that he would not be seeking re-election.

The office of Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said Monday that Sweet was one of two Tory MPs who were given approval by the party’s whip to undertake “essential travel” to the United States.

He travelled south of the border for an unspecified “property issue.”

But O’Toole’s office said Sweet then decided to stay “for leisure” without informing the whip.