Ex-MP Warburton died of natural causes - coroner

The sudden death of a former MP last month was due to natural causes, a coroner has said.

David Warburton, 59, who previously represented the Somerton and Frome constituency in Somerset, was found dead at his home in London on 26 August.

He had resigned as an MP in June 2023 after admitting taking cocaine.

West London Coroner's Court has now said his death was due to natural causes, meaning no inquest will be held.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed last month that a man in his 50s had been found dead by paramedics at an address in Chelsea, west London.

Officers had been treating the man's death as "unexpected but not suspicious", the force added.

Marcus Fysh, a former Conservative MP for Yeovil, told the BBC Warburton had been a "steadfast colleague and defender of Somerset and Britain".

"David was a talented and sensitive person with a great flair for words and passion for his constituents," he said when Mr Warburton's death was announced.

Warburton was suspended by the Conservative Party in April 2022 when claims of sexual misconduct were made against him, which he denied.

The allegations were later withdrawn and an investigation by the House of Commons Independent Expert Panel was closed.

He had served as MP for the former Somerton and Frome constituency since May 2015. The seat was abolished because of boundary changes, which came into effect at the 2024 general election.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.