I’m not a sex pest insists ‘grope’ MP
Tory denies touching men in Westminster bar
‘Allegations are false’
TORY MP Ross Thomson yesterday described claims that he drunkenly groped men in a Parliament bar as ‘completely false’ as it emerged a probe has been launched into the allegations.
As he finally broke his silence over the allegations, the Aberdeen South MP also disclosed that he has referred himself to an internal Conservative disciplinary panel to examine the claims.
He will retain the Tory whip while the investigation takes place.
But it is understood Conservative Party HQ was not happy with the wording of his statement and refused to issue it.
Instead, Mr Thomson, 31, published the statement on social media. It said: ‘A series of serious allegations have been made against me that have featured in the media.
‘These allegations from anonymous sources are false. No complaint has been made to the police, Parliament or the Conservative Party.
‘Nevertheless in the interests of openness and transparency I am referring myself to the Conservative Party’s Disciplinary Panel of the Code of Conduct. This has been a deeply distressing time for me and my family but I intend to be back at work on Monday.’
Conservative HQ had planned to issue Mr Thomson’s statement on his behalf but opted against sending it out.
A party source said: ‘This is Ross’s personal position, this is not what we want him to say.’
Police were called out to the Strangers Bar at 11pm on Tuesday following reports of ‘sexual touching’ by Mr Thomson.
Witnesses claimed Mr Thomson had been ‘groping young men’ in their 20s and 30s who were guests at Westminster by ‘grabbing their backside and genitals’.
It is understood colleagues tried to get him to leave but he failed to do so.
On Wednesday, Scotland Yard confirmed they attended the bar following reports of an incident involving three men in their 20s and 30s. No arrests were made and no official complaint filed.
An investigation was launched by the Conservative Party yesterday.
Mr Thomson did not carry out an MP surgery yesterday, although a staff member held a meeting with a constituent on his behalf.
He has not been seen in public since the allegations surfaced on Wednesday.
Because he is an MP, the investigation will be led by the party HQ south of the Border.
Scottish Conservative acting leader Jackson Carlaw described Mr Thomson’s behaviour as ‘completely unacceptable’ on Thursday.
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: ‘The party’s investigation process will now take this matter forward.’