Tory MP a victim of ‘blackmail and rumour’ over sex assault claims
A SENIOR Tory MP who was stripped of the whip after allegations of serious sexual assault has claimed that he is the victim of blackmail.
Julian Knight, 50, the chairman of the digital, culture, media and sports committee, suggested he could be the target of a “campaign of rumour and innuendo”. The Conservative Party removed the whip from him on Wednesday night after a complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police, meaning he no longer sits in the Commons as a Tory.
In a statement, the Met Police said: “On Oct 28, police received allegations of serious sexual assault against unnamed victims reported to have taken place on unknown dates at undisclosed locations.
“On Dec 7 a further referral relating to the incident[s] was made and an investigation was launched. Enquiries are ongoing. There have been no arrests.”
Last night Mr Knight wrote to Simon Hart, the chief whip, to say he is “entirely innocent” of any wrongdoing, and that the withdrawal of the whip was “wrong and unjustified”.
He asked whether his suspension related to a third-party complaint “apparently made by two fellow MPS” about him to the police on Oct 28.
“Some months ago I accepted the resignation of a staff member following a full enquiry into his conduct regarding House of Commons security issues and, separately, allegations of bullying against him,” Mr Knight said.
“Subsequently, I have received what my lawyers advise are explicit threats involving blackmail as well as being at the centre of a campaign of rumour and innuendo. All matters are with my lawyers and I will be recusing myself from Parliament until the matter is resolved.”
Mr Knight said that he only found out from the media that he had been stripped of the whip, and added that he has not heard anything from the police or Parliament’s grievance service about allegations made against him.
He demanded to know why he had been named by the whips’ office, which he said will “prejudice any prospect of my getting a fair hearing in any inquiry, court or disciplinary hearing”.