Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PM DEFENDS TORIES ON RAPE CLAIM MP
Johnson: We are right not to suspend former minister
BORIS Johnson has defended the decision not to suspend a senior Tory held on suspicion of rape.
The unidentified former minister was held on Saturday after a woman in her 20s alleged she was assaulted four times, including a rape requiring hospital treatment.
The MP, aged in his 50s, has been released on bail and denies the accusations.
Asked if it was the right
THIS is Britain’s first Dutch-style roundabout, where cyclists and pedestrians get priority.
Cycle lanes are marked with a red decision not to remove the whip from the MP, Mr Johnson said: “I think we’ve got to wait for the police to decide whether they want to make charges and take a decision on that basis.”
Chief Whip Mark Spencer has come under pressure surface and there are crossings on each approach road to the junction in Cambridge.
Roxanne De Beaux of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign said: “I feel very safe.” over his decision. It also emerged he had met the alleged victim in April to discuss her concerns. But sources close to him said he was not told of the allegations of sexual abuse.
The woman reportedly told pals the MP should be named and she was confident that suspending him would not risk her anonymity. Labour MP Jess Phillips slated the “shocking” failure to act. A senior female Tory MP accused the Government of “looking the other way”. The Whips’ Office said: “As a police investigation is under way, it would not be appropriate for the Chief Whip to discuss the case with the alleged victim.
“Any action taken will be decided once the investigation has been concluded.”