David Warburton, a former Conservative Member of Parliament for Somerton and Frome who resigned in 2023 due to sex and drug allegations, died in August 2023 at age 59. His estate was valued at just £97,639 after deductions, despite his previous business successes. Warburton's death was ruled a natural cause by the coroner; he had served as CEO of Capenex Energy and was known for founding a mobile phone ringtones company in the late 1990s before selling it in 2008.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
A former Tory MP who quit politics over a sex and cocaine scandal before launching a successful energy business left his children an estate worth just £97,000.
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who → quit → estate
A coroner later ruled David Warburton, 59, had died of natural causes when he was found dead at his home in Chelsea Harbour on August 26.
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he → rule → August
He served as MP for Somerton and Frome from 2015 until 2023 and is survived by his wife of more than 20 years, Harriet Baker-Bates, and their two children.
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Warburton was suspended from the Conservative Party in April 2022 and resigned his seat in June 2023 after being accused of sexual harassment and class A drug use amid allegations he was targeted as part of a 'sting' operation.
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he → suspend → operation
He admitted taking cocaine after drinking 'tons of incredibly potent' Japanese whisky but denied claims he harassed a female political assistant in his Westminster flat.
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An appeal panel ruled an investigation into the claims was materially flawed, with the matter unresolved after the complainant withdrew from a fresh inquiry.
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complainant → rule → inquiry
Warburton's grant of probate was issued by the High Court of Justice last week and was released today.
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grant → issue → Justice
His will was signed just five months before his death.
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will → sign → death
The entire value of his estate, which was £138,867 but £97,639 after deductions, was left to his daughter Cecily, son James and his brother Richard.
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The trust is valid for 125 years and gives trustees absolute discretion over who receives what.
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A coroner later ruled David Warburton, 69, had died of natural causes when he was found dead at his home in Chelsea Harbour on August 26
His death was treated as unexpected, but not suspicious, by police at the time.
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Warburton, who studied composition under Sir Harrison Birtwistle at the Royal College of Music, launched a music company that created mobile phone ringtones.
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that → study → ringtones
The firm, which was founded in 1999, was touted as one of the UK's fastest-growing technology companies before Warburton sold it in 2008.
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Warburton → found → 2008
He was listed as the chief executive at Capenex Energy group at the time of his death, a role he had held since February 2024.
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he → list → February
Former MP Stephen Danczuk said at the time: 'It's such sad news.
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He had really got back on track after having a difficult time in politics.
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'He had got back on track and was doing very well in business, running an energy company.
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He turned his life back around really, it's incredibly sad news.
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'I met him for drinks in Belgravia a few months ago.
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He was really doing well.
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He had a great team around him.
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When the allegations first surfaced, Warburton said he had been set up but acknowledged he had been 'naïve and incredibly stupid'.
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The former Tory MP was pronounced dead after being found at his home in Chelsea, London
However, his political career came crashing down around him after being accused of sexual harassment and drug abuse (pictured is the Daily Mail's front page at the time of the scandal)
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In April 2022, the former MP said he had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital with stress, claiming at the time he had been feeling suicidal.
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When he announced his exit from Parliament in June 2023, Mr Warburton hit out at the investigation, claiming he had been denied a fair hearing.
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In his resignation letter, Warburton said he had been left with 'no choice' but to provoke 'the upheaval of a by-election', adding: '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 judgment may at any time be freighted.'
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It came after a staffer in Mr Warburton's Westminster office lodged a complaint with the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme in March 2022, making four sexual misconduct and two bullying and harassment allegations against him.
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In a report, the panel said the initial investigation under Parliament's ICGS recommended upholding two sexual misconduct allegations.
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investigation → say → allegations
However, Mr Greenberg then reviewed the evidence and upheld a third unspecified sexual misconduct allegation against Mr Warburton.
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Mr Warburton appealed against Mr Greenberg's decision on the grounds it was 'procedurally flawed and unreasonable' and based on a 'materially flawed' investigation.
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He said the woman 'had colluded with witnesses to fabricate' the 'malicious' complaint against him, and that the ICGS failed to consider material he submitted to support his claim, according to the IEP's report.
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The panel said it made no findings on the allegations against Mr Warburton or his claims of fabrication, but ruled that a reinvestigation is 'necessary and proportionate'.
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In July 2023, the parliamentary investigation was officially closed after the complainant withdrew her complaint and ended the disciplinary proceedings.
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complainant → close → proceedings
In the same month, a by-election for Warburton's vacated Somerton and Frome seat was won by Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Dyke.
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election → vacate → Dyke
The Aporia
