Crispin Blunt says he is Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape in social media post | Politics News
The former minister mentioned he would co-operate absolutely with the police investigation and was “confident it will end without charge”.
By Alexandra Rogers, Political reporter @Journoamrogers
Conservative MP Crispin Blunt says he has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of managed substances.
In a press release on X, the Reigate MP mentioned: “It has been reported that an MP was arrested yesterday in reference to an allegation of rape.
“I’m confirming that MP was me. The reality of the arrest requires a proper notification of the Speaker after which my chief whip.
“I’ve now been interviewed twice in reference to this incident, the primary time three weeks in the past, after I initially reported my concern over extortion. The second time was earlier this morning underneath warning following arrest.
“The arrest was pointless as I stay able to co-operate absolutely with the investigation that I’m assured will finish with out cost.”
He added: “I don’t intend to say something additional on this matter till the police have accomplished their inquiries.”
Surrey Police mentioned a person was detained on Wednesday morning in Horley.
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A police spokesman mentioned: “We can affirm a person was arrested yesterday morning (October 25) in Horley on suspicion of rape and possession of managed substances.
“He has been released on conditional police bail pending further inquiries.”
The Conservative Party mentioned it might not remark as there is a reside police investigation.
But Mr Blunt has had the whip suspended pending the end result of the police investigation, and has been requested to keep away from the parliamentary property.
Mr Blunt introduced in May 2022 that he can be standing down on the subsequent election
The newest allegations will probably be an extra blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, coming only a week after the Tories suffered two by-election defeats in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth.
The by-election in Tamworth noticed Labour overturn a 20,000 majority to take the seat in Staffordshire, which has been held by the Tories since 2010.
The constituency was left vacant by former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, who give up parliament in shame after shedding his attraction in opposition to a suspension from the Commons following groping allegations.
The Labour Party additionally took Mid Bedfordshire from the Conservatives in a bitter battle with the Lib Dems.
The contest for Mid Bedfordshire kicked off after the resignation of former tradition secretary Nadine Dorries, who resigned in anger at being denied a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours checklist – however didn’t formally vacate her seat for 81 days.
