Andrea Leadsom is chairing the group of MPs to create a new complaints system for victims of harrassment

MPs accused of sexual harassment could be suspended or kicked out of parliament under plans being considered by a cross-party group of MPs.

The group, set up by the prime minister to tackle sexual harassment in Westminster, is expected to recommend formal sanctions against sex-pest MPs imposed by an independent regulator.

The ultimate sanction would see MPs face a by-election in their constituency if they refuse to resign from the Commons over their behaviour.

The disclosure comes days after a leaked draft report suggested that MPs accused of sexual harassment would need only to apologise or complete an online training course as punishment.

Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons and chair of the cross-party group, said tough sanctions will be introduced to try