Police extend Tory MP rape probe

THE SENIOR Tory MP arrested on suspicion of raping a House of Commons researcher has been rebailed until early November when he is due to be questioned again as police continue their investigation.

Scotland Yard confirmed last night the work is being carried out by the Met Central Specialist Crime, Complex Case Team.

The news comes a fortnight after The Mail on Sunday revealed that the parliamentarian – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had been arrested over allegations of sexual offences and assault.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: ‘On Friday, 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.

‘These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

‘A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday, 1st August 2020, on suspicion of rape, sexual assaults by penetration and touching and assault.

‘His bail to return on a date has been extended to early November 2020.’

The parliamentary staffer – who is in her 20s – has made claims of a rape necessitating hospital treatment and has claimed she is ‘devastated’ by Westminster’s inaction on the issue.

The Conservative Party have been criticised for not suspending the MP in question but Chief Whip Mark Spencer has warned it could identify the complainant.

Labour’s Jess Phillips has said this is wrong and would not be allowed if a similar allegation had been made against a teacher, describing the issue as a ‘safeguarding matter’.