MP: Sex claims kept from me for 5 months
CHARLIE ELPHICKE, the Conservative MP, has said he is “completely confident” of proving his innocence after he was interviewed by police over allegations of sexual offences involving two female employees.
The Dover and Deal MP was suspended by the Conservative Party last November following what his party termed “serious allegations” during the Westminster sexual harassment scandal.
The 47-year-old said it took “five months” for police to tell him what the allegations against him were, but now he had been given details of them he was sure he would clear his name.
Mr Elphicke, who was elected in 2010, has always denied any wrongdoing.
He was suspended four days after the publication online of a list of MPS and individual claims about their behaviour.
Since then, he has continued working as an MP but remains suspended.
The two alleged victims have now been interviewed by Scotland Yard, and on March 12 Mr Elphicke was interviewed under caution after attending a police station by appointment.
The father-of-two said: “I met with the police on March 12 [and] was then told for the first time the nature of the allegations made against me.
“Until that point, I had no idea whatsoever of the allegations which had led to my having the Conservative whip suspended in early November 2017, despite my repeated requests for clarification to both the Chief Whip and the police.”
He also said on Twitter: “It was some five months before I was made aware of what the ‘allegations’ against me were. Now I know, I am completely confident I will be able to prove my innocence. I will continue to defend myself vigorously for as long as necessary.”
A Met spokesman said: “On 12 March 2018, a man was interviewed under caution, by appointment. The interview was in connection with an ongoing investigation being carried out by the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command into alleged sexual offences.”