Met drops rape probe into Tory ex-Minister

THE former Tory Minister arrested on suspicion of raping a Commons researcher will face no further action after police dropped their inquiries, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed yesterday that the case ‘did not meet the evidential test’ despite a thorough investigation of the allegations.

Friends of the MP, who has consistently maintained his innocence, last night spoke of his relief that the probe was over.

The move will leave the former Government Minister, who has voluntarily stayed away from the Commons since his arrest, free to return to Westminster this week.

Only last week, allies of the politician had appealed to Scotland Yard to ‘end his torment’, saying that after four months of inquiries, police should be able to bring their investigation to an end.

The Mail on Sunday revealed in August how the politician was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault against a young Commons researcher.

His accuser alleged that she was assaulted four times between July 2019 and January this year, including claims of a rape necessitating hospital treatment.

After his arrest, the MP was released on police bail which was eventually lifted in mid-October, although police insisted he remained under investigation for assault, sexual assault and rape.

However, in a statement yesterday, the Met said: ‘ Following a thorough investigation and based on all evidence made available to officers, the decision was taken that the case did not meet the evidential test and no further action will be taken.

‘The complainant has been made aware of the decision.’

The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that the police inquiry had included taking evidence from Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer, who is understood to have met the complainant before she went to the police but did not take the allegations further, partly as he did not believe there was any mention of a sexual assault.

Last night, one friend of the MP said: ‘The last four-and-a-half months have been a living nightmare for this MP.

‘But hopefully, now that the Met have finally concluded a thorough investigation and recommended discontinuing the case as a result, he and his loved ones can at last return to some kind of normal life.’