British MP arrested on suspicion of rape
LONDON: A British Conservative MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape, police and the lawmaker stated Thursday, within the newest damaging episode for the UK ruling occasion.
Police in Surrey, within the south of England, stated the person was additionally detained on possession of managed substances.
He was arrested on Wednesday morning earlier than being launched on conditional bail whereas the investigation continues.
Crispin Blunt, 63, posted an announcement on X — previously generally known as Twitter — confirming that it was he who had been arrested.
“I have now been interviewed twice in connection with this incident, the first time three weeks ago, when I initially reported my concern over extortion. The second time was earlier this morning under caution following arrest.
“The arrest was pointless as I stay able to cooperate absolutely with the investigation that I’m assured will finish with out cost,” added Blunt, a former junior minister.
Blunt was instantly suspended by his occasion, British media reported, that means he now sits as an impartial within the House of Commons.
He is the newest Tory MP to have been arrested in recent times, and marks one other blow for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s struggling occasion, which has been beset by scandal.
In May final 12 months, it was reported {that a} Tory lawmaker had been arrested on suspicion of rape and misconduct in public workplace, amongst different allegations.
A Conservative MP was additionally arrested over rape allegations in 2020. He was by no means recognized, and police dropped the investigation with out cost.
Sunak’s Tories lag nicely behind the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls forward of a basic election anticipated subsequent 12 months.
The Conservatives suffered two heavy native election defeats to Labour final week, together with one which was triggered when MP Chris Pincher stop after being discovered to have groped two males.
On Wednesday, Tory MP Peter Bone was suspended from parliament for six weeks for bullying and sexual misconduct in opposition to a workers member, a sanction that would set off one other by-election.
Police in Surrey, within the south of England, stated the person was additionally detained on possession of managed substances.
He was arrested on Wednesday morning earlier than being launched on conditional bail whereas the investigation continues.
Crispin Blunt, 63, posted an announcement on X — previously generally known as Twitter — confirming that it was he who had been arrested.
“I have now been interviewed twice in connection with this incident, the first time three weeks ago, when I initially reported my concern over extortion. The second time was earlier this morning under caution following arrest.
“The arrest was pointless as I stay able to cooperate absolutely with the investigation that I’m assured will finish with out cost,” added Blunt, a former junior minister.
Blunt was instantly suspended by his occasion, British media reported, that means he now sits as an impartial within the House of Commons.
He is the newest Tory MP to have been arrested in recent times, and marks one other blow for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s struggling occasion, which has been beset by scandal.
In May final 12 months, it was reported {that a} Tory lawmaker had been arrested on suspicion of rape and misconduct in public workplace, amongst different allegations.
A Conservative MP was additionally arrested over rape allegations in 2020. He was by no means recognized, and police dropped the investigation with out cost.
Sunak’s Tories lag nicely behind the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls forward of a basic election anticipated subsequent 12 months.
The Conservatives suffered two heavy native election defeats to Labour final week, together with one which was triggered when MP Chris Pincher stop after being discovered to have groped two males.
On Wednesday, Tory MP Peter Bone was suspended from parliament for six weeks for bullying and sexual misconduct in opposition to a workers member, a sanction that would set off one other by-election.