Senior Tory MP reported to police over rape allegations amid pressure to remove party whip

Ben Riley-Smith
·2 min read
The Tory MP in question retained the whip and can continue to sit for the party in the House of Commons - Nuwan
The Tory MP in question retained the whip and can continue to sit for the party in the House of Commons - Nuwan
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Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said on Friday it was right that allegations of rape and multiple sexual assaults made against a sitting Tory MP had been passed onto the police.

The Sun and TalkTV said that the claims, which involve a Tory MP who was not named in the reporting, have been passed on to the Metropolitan Police.

During a press briefing on Friday the Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked about the development and said “it is right” such allegations were “referred to the police”.

The Tory MP in question retained the whip despite the allegations, which means the politician can continue to sit for the party in the House of Commons.

The police complaint was made by a group of other Tory MPs and the claims spanned a period of two years, according to The Sun.

A Met Police spokesman said: “On October 28, police received allegations of serious sexual assault reported to have taken place on unknown dates at undisclosed locations.

“The reports were submitted via a third party. Officers are making enquiries into these allegations.”

No formal police investigation has yet been launched.

Government of integrity

Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, tweeted it was “unfathomable” that the Tory MP in question had retained the whip.

Mr Sunak vowed to lead a government of integrity when he became Prime Minister and delivered a speech on the steps of Downing Street on Oct 25.

Mr Sunak said: “I will work day in and day out to deliver for you. This government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level. Trust is earned. And I will earn yours.”

The Prime Minister’s handling of the developments will be closely scrutinised given one of his predecessors, Boris Johnson, had to react to a string of “Tory sleaze” scandals.

Mr Johnson was criticised by some Tory MPs for not acting more quickly to remove the whip from politicians caught in scandals during his premiership.

During the latter months of his time in Number 10, Mr Johnson oversaw losses in a number of by-elections triggered by Tory MP resignations, some linked to scandals.