Friends of Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a Commons researcher urge police to 'end his torment' and conclude inquiry
Friends of the Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a Commons researcher are urging police to ‘end his torment’ and conclude their inquiries.
They say that more than four months on from his arrest, the ex-Minister should now be told whether the case will be dropped or whether he could still face charges.
One said: ‘Surely the police will have reached a conclusion by now and can reveal the result of their inquiry?’
But the calls have sparked a fierce riposte from friends of his accuser, who insisted police were ‘still investigating’ and his allies ‘shouldn’t be trying to interfere’ with that task.
The Mail on Sunday revealed in August how the politician – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault against a young Commons researcher. The woman, who also cannot be identified, said she was assaulted four times between July 2019 and January this year, including claims of a rape necessitating hospital treatment.
The Mail on Sunday revealed in August how the politician was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault against a young Commons researcher
After his arrest in August, the MP was released on police bail which was eventually lifted in mid-October although police insisted that he remained under investigation for assault, sexual assault and rape.
Those investigations have included taking evidence from Tory Chief Whip Mark Spencer, who is understood to have met the complainant before she went to the police but did not take the allegations further, partly as he did not believe there was any mention of a sexual assault.
However, allies of the MP – who they say has insisted he is innocent – say that he now deserves to know the outcome of the Metropolitan Police inquiry.
One said: ‘The police must have all the time they need and it was entirely right that these allegations were thoroughly investigated.
‘But surely now, he and his constituents deserve to know the outcome of the investigation?’
The man’s arrest led to fierce criticisms of the Conservative Party for not suspending the MP, with Labour MP Jess Phillips – her party’s spokesman on domestic violence – insisting a teacher in those circumstances would have been suspended from their job. Chief Whip Mr Spencer has insisted that suspending him would effectively lead to him being named.
There were also calls from parliamentary staff and trade unions for the MP to be barred from the Commons even after his bail was lifted in October. However, it is understood that the politician is still voluntarily agreeing not to come to Westminster for the time being.
Last night, Mrs Phillips insisted it was wrong to attempt to hurry up the police probe. She said: ‘The police should be left to do the important work they have to do without interruption, fear or favour.’
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police insisted that the man remained ‘under investigation’.