Labour has said it is “shocking” that a senior Tory MP reportedly under investigation over rape allegations has not had the whip suspended.
According to reports, a Conservative MP was arrested on Saturday after being accused of rape,
Sexual Assault and coercive control.
The ex-minister, who has not been named, is alleged to have assaulted a woman and forced her to have sex, the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday said.
A spokesperson for the Conservative whips office told Sky News: “These are serious allegations and it is right that they are investigated fully. The whip has not been suspended.
“This decision will be reviewed once the
police investigation has been concluded.”
Shadow safeguarding minister Jess Phillips criticised the Tories for failing to suspend the whip from the Tory MP in question, a move that would effectively eject him from the party.
Speaking to Times Radio, the
Labour MP said: “It is very difficult to comment on the case itself, because it is quite rightly in front of the criminal justice system.
“But what I would say in this matter, is in any organisation – especially one like Members of Parliament who every day work with vulnerable people, young activists, members of staff – in any other organisation, were this police investigation to be going on, somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place.”
Calling the lack of action “shocking”, Phillips said it sent a “terrible message” that senior figures were still able to secure “protection” from their Westminster status.
She added: “While pending a police investigation for a sexual crime, I think it is only right that the whip is withdrawn.”
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said he did not know the name of the MP involved, but added that he was “confident” the party was taking the matter seriously.
“I’ve read the accusations in the newspapers this morning but I don’t know more than you do in that respect,” the Cabinet minister told Times Radio.
“These are very serious allegations and they should be investigated.
“They’re in the hands of the police, so I don’t think I can comment any more than that.”
Asked whether he personally wanted to see the Tory whip removed from the MP under police investigation, Jenrick said: “We need to take allegations of this nature very seriously and I’m confident that the party is, and will do.”
The Metropolitan Police said they received allegations on Friday of sexual offences and assault relating to four separate incidents at addresses between July last year and January this year.
A spokesman for the Met said: “The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.”
A man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of rape and was taken into custody at an east
London police station, the force added.
He has been released on bail to a date in mid-August.
The papers said the allegations were raised with Tory chief whip Mark Spencer, and the complainant also spoke to him, but no action was taken.
The PA news agency understands Spencer advised her to make a formal complaint to the authorities, who would be able to investigate the claims.
A spokesman for Spencer said: “The Chief Whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously.
“As this matter is now in the hands of the police it would be inappropriate to comment further.”Related... Senior Tory MP 'Arrested On Suspicion Of Rape'