Tories warn over ‘plot to name rape- case MP’

FRIENDS of the Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape have launched a pre-emptive bid to stop his identity being revealed in Parliament.

They fear Labour or Liberal Democrats may use parliamentary privilege to name the suspect when MPs return from their summer recess next month.

But allies of the MP have sought to deter any such move, with one friend warning it would be an ‘outrageous abuse’ of parliamentary privilege. They have also appealed to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to rein in any of his MPs thinking of doing it.

The calls come after protests from Labour frontbencher Jess Phillips and Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran over the Tories’ decision not to suspend the MP, who denies the allegations made by a Commons researcher.

Ms Phillips, Labour’s domestic violence spokeswoman, said she was unaware of any plans to name the suspect. Ms Moran declined to comment last night. But Ms Phillips predicted that someone, probably in the Lords, would unmask the MP, saying the current situation was ‘unsustainable’.

Tory chiefs have insisted the issue should be left to the police, saying t hat withdrawing t he party whip would identify him.

But even one senior Minister said privately he was uneasy that an MP facing such allegations had not been named publicly.

Labour has claimed that suspending him would potentially protect others by making them aware of the allegations.

The alleged victim, in her 20s, claims she required hospital treatment after one alleged assault and is ‘ devastated’ by inaction from Westminster.

It is understood the MP has agreed to stay away from the House of Commons and work f rom home while t he police investigation continues.