WINCHESTER MP Steve Brine has dropped one of his paid consultancy roles.

Mr Brine is ceasing working as a strategic adviser to Sigma Pharmaceuticals for which he was paid at the rate of £1,666 a month, for up to eight hours' work.

He confirmed to the Chronicle: “Simple, our agreement was always ending in November because the webinars I hosted for them, in my own time, can now happen offline.”

It comes after PM Boris Johnson announced MPs will be banned from advising companies for money.

The issue returned to the spotlight over the case of former Conservative minister Owen Paterson who was punished for breaking the lobbying rules for MPS and has since resigned his seat.

Mr Brine, who served as a health minister until 201,9 has work as a strategic advisor for three firms: Sigma, Remedium Partners (permanent healthcare recruitment), receiving £1,600 a month for up to eight hours; Microlink PC (UK) £1,600 a month for up to eight hours' work. His outside work pays around £60,000 for 288 hours' work.

The Chronicle has asked for clarification but his position with Remedium Partners and Microlink was unclear.

Labour has called for outside paid work to be banned, expect some roles, such as working as NHS nurses and doctors, the Army reserve or the police.