Rishi Sunak backs Tories who reported MP to police over sexual assault and rape claims

But MP still retains Tory whip

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak has backed Conservative politicians who reported a fellow MP to police over allegations they committed rape and a string of sexual assaults.

Downing Street said it was “right” the allegations had been reported.

“The right people to investigate are the police and it is right that any allegations of that nature are referred to them, “ a No 10 spokesman said.

The senior Conservative MP was reported to the Metropolitan Police by a group of his colleagues at the end of October.

The alleged claims, first reported by the broadcaster TalkTV, span over two years and the MPs reported the incidents to the police as a third party.

The backbench MP is also said to be subject to an investigation by an independent law firm.

However, they still hold the Conservative whip and have not been suspended by party chiefs.

The news comes a day after The Sun newspaper reported that a separate former Tory MP had been arrested in June 2021 for alleged historic sex crimes.

That file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which is set to make a decision on whether to charge.

A third Conservative is also on bail over separate allegations of rape and has been told to avoid the parliamentary estate.

Labour MP Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, invited alleged victims of the MP to approach her for support.

"Suspect Rishi Sunak will peddle line that they don't suspend because doing so identifies MP and that can identify the victim," she said.

"This lie is based in self preservation not care for victim. Of all victims I have worked with across parties, every one was fine with MP being identified.

"If any of the victims in this case or any would like support, I am trained professional in this field, have supported victims of pretty much every party in Westminster."

Ms Phillips said it was "unfathomable" to her that two Tory MPs were being investigated by police for sexual offences and retain the whip.

She noted: "All week the Home Office has been pushing out Enough is Enough messaging about what everyone should do to prevent and not be a bystander to abuse."

Today's Chester by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Christian Matheson, who stepped down after a standards investigation upheld two complaints of sexual misconduct. Labour retained the seat with an increased share of the vote.

Mike Clancy, the general secretary of Prospect union, says: “This MP remains free to visit the House of Commons and interact with staff despite these very serious allegations.

“This highlights yet again that there is no fit-for-purpose process in place to deal with this type of case and make Parliament a safe place to work.”

Asked to confirm the reports, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told The Independent: “On 28 October, police received allegations of serious sexual assault reported to have taken place on unknown dates at undisclosed locations.”

“The reports were submitted via a third party. Officers are making enquiries into these allegations.”

When he became prime minister Mr Sunak pledged that he would put integrity, professionalism and accountability at the heart of his government and annoucned that he would appoint an ethics advisor.

The Conservative party has yet to comment on the allegations. The government’s whips office declined to comment.