He has been asked by the chief whip to stay away from Parliament
A Tory MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, it has been reported.
According to the Sun, the serving MP remains in custody and has been told to stay away from Parliament.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in a public office.”
According to the Met, the alleged offences took place between 2002 and 2009 in London.
BREAKING: Tory whips confirm they've asked an MP to stay away from Parliament after he was arrested for alleged sexual assault, indecent assault & rape.
“The Chief Whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the Parliamentary Estate while an investigation is ongoing."
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) May 17, 2022
Police said they first received reports of the allegations in January 2020, and have been conducting a probe into the claims ever since.
Chief Whip Chris Heaton Harris has confirmed the MP in question has been asked to stay away from Parliament during the investigation.
A whips office spokesperson said: “The Chief Whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the Parliamentary Estate while an investigation is ongoing.
“Until the conclusion of the investigation we will not be commenting further.”
It is understood the Conservatives will not make a decision on whether the suspect has the whip suspended until after the investigation is concluded.
The arrest is the latest in a string of sexual assault allegations rocking the Conservative Party.
Last month, Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan was expelled from the party after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
Fellow Conservative MP David Warburton was also recently suspended from the party following allegations of sexual harassment.
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- Tory MP Neil Parish resigns amid porn ‘moment of madness’
- Tory MP slammed as ‘disgraceful’ after defending colleague convicted of child sex offence
- Former world darts champion Ted Hankey jailed for sexual assault
