David Warburton, the former Conservative Member of Parliament for Somerton and Frome, has died suddenly at the age of 59, bringing to a close a tumultuous chapter in British politics marked by scandal, allegations, and personal struggle. Warburton was found dead at his flat in Chelsea, west London, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that his death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, according to statements reported by Sky News and BBC.
Warburton’s political career began in 2015, when he won the Somerset seat with a dramatic swing to the Conservatives, securing a majority of over 20,000 votes. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2019, maintaining strong support in his constituency. His rise in Parliament was notable, and he quickly became known as a passionate advocate for his constituents. Marcus Fysh, a former Conservative MP for neighboring Yeovil, described him to the BBC as “a steadfast colleague and defender of Somerset and Britain.” Fysh added, “David was a talented and sensitive person with a great flair for words and passion for his constituents.”
Yet, Warburton’s public service was ultimately overshadowed by controversy. In April 2022, the Conservative Party suspended him following allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use. The accusations, which included claims from multiple women, were widely reported and became the subject of an investigation by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS). Images and audio recordings surfaced, implicating Warburton in unwanted advances toward women, and a photograph showed him next to what appeared to be lines of cocaine. He admitted to using cocaine after drinking what he described as “incredibly potent” Japanese whisky, but he always denied the harassment claims.
Warburton’s response to the allegations was complicated. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for what he called “severe shock and stress,” with his wife publicly sharing that the period had been “sheer hell” for their family, as reported by The Telegraph. The ICGS initially upheld three sexual misconduct allegations against him, but this decision was later overturned by the Independent Expert Panel on appeal. The House of Commons eventually closed its investigation in July 2023, with Warburton expressing relief but also noting, “It had been extraordinarily difficult for my family and myself, with the personal toll being incalculable,” according to The Guardian.
Despite the eventual withdrawal of the allegations, the damage to Warburton’s political standing was profound. He resigned his seat in June 2023, claiming he had been denied a fair hearing by the ICGS and was unable to speak out while the process was ongoing. In his resignation letter, Warburton stated, “It is my hope that, in so doing, I can freely illuminate the methods of an oversight system not fit for purpose, so that friends and colleagues in the House can see the perverted process by which their own judgement may at any time be freighted.” He further lamented that he had “no choice” but to provoke “the upheaval of a by-election.”
The by-election that followed his resignation was won by Liberal Democrat Sarah Dyke, marking a significant loss for the Conservatives in what had been considered a safe seat. The Somerton and Frome constituency itself was abolished as part of boundary changes that took effect at the 2024 general election, closing a chapter on a seat that had been a stronghold for the party during Warburton’s tenure.
As news of Warburton’s death broke, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Simon Danczuk, a former Labour MP, told The Sun, “He had really got back on track after having a difficult time in politics. Things were really on the up for him. He had got back on track and was doing very well in business, running an energy company. He turned his life back around really, it’s incredibly sad news.” Danczuk also shared on social media, “Sad to see that David Warburton, former Conservative MP, has died. Cleared by parliament of any wrongdoing, but like most of us wasn’t flawless, he’d just had enough and resigned. With him a few times recently, he was doing really well. God bless him.”
Warburton’s personal struggles were never far from public view. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, he became “a bit obsessed” with using a home gym, a transformation that earned him praise from then-health secretary Matt Hancock for his newfound fitness, as noted by The Guardian. Some colleagues described his return to Westminster as a “mid-life crisis,” but many were shocked when the allegations about his behavior emerged.
His death has prompted reflection not only on his political career but also on the pressures faced by public figures under scrutiny. The circumstances surrounding his resignation and the subsequent investigation highlighted the complexities and, at times, the harshness of the parliamentary oversight process. Warburton claimed he had been “set up,” stating he was secretly filmed and photographed following a late-night vote in the House of Commons, and admitted to being “naive and incredibly stupid.” He maintained until the end that he was denied the chance to defend himself adequately during the investigation.
The events leading up to Warburton’s death were as dramatic as his political downfall. Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to his Chelsea Crescent flat at 10:47 AM on August 26, 2025, after receiving reports of an incident. Warburton was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service both confirmed that his next of kin had been informed, and reiterated that the death was being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.
For those who knew him, Warburton’s life was one of contrasts: a teacher and entrepreneur before entering Parliament, a fitness enthusiast during lockdown, and a politician whose career was ultimately undone by scandal. Yet, as the dust settles, his story also serves as a cautionary tale about the personal costs of public life and the challenges of navigating controversy in the unforgiving glare of modern politics.
David Warburton leaves behind a complicated legacy—one marked by both achievement and adversity, and a reminder of the very human struggles that can lie behind the headlines.
