There is not any wider cultural drawback amongst Conservative MPs, a minister insisted, after Crispin Blunt was arrested on suspicion of rape and the possession of managed substances.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan stated the allegation towards the previous minister associated to an “individual incident” and was not an indication of a wider drawback within the get together.
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Mr Blunt, the MP for Reigate, was kicked out of the parliamentary get together on Thursday after figuring out himself because the politician Surrey Police detained on Wednesday morning, earlier than his launch on conditional bail.
He stated he has been interviewed twice over the matter, the primary time three weeks in the past when he “initially reported my concern over extortion”, and maintained he was assured he wouldn’t be charged.
It is the most recent in a string of sexual misconduct allegations to hit the Conservative get together throughout this parliament.
On Wednesday, former Conservative minister Peter Bone was suspended from the Commons for six weeks after a declare he uncovered himself to a member of employees was upheld.
Chris Pincher, the previous deputy chief whip, was sacked and finally resigned after being accused of groping two males in a Tory non-public members’ membership.
And final yr, former MP Imran Ahmad Khan was jailed after being discovered responsible of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
However, Ms Keegan instructed broadcasters on Friday morning that she didn’t see a “cultural issue” throughout the parliamentary get together.
“I certainly don’t see a cultural issue among Conservative MPs. I see individual incidents which are all investigated as such,” she instructed Times Radio.
“The prime minister’s been clear about high standards, he expects high standards, he always follows due process, but all you can do with these things is deal with them as they arise and take the appropriate action.”
Pressed about allegations of “sleaze” inside her get together, Ms Keegan instructed LBC: “I’ve been in parliament now for six and a bit years and I must say honestly, personally, I’ve never seen any impacts or any sort of, this kind of behaviour.”
After figuring out himself, Mr Blunt was stripped of the Conservative whip pending the result of the police investigation, which means he’s now an impartial.
He wrote on social media: “It has been reported that an MP was arrested yesterday in connection with an allegation of rape. I am confirming that MP was me.
“The arrest was pointless as I stay able to co-operate totally with the investigation that I’m assured will finish with out cost.
“I do not intend to say anything further on this matter until the police have completed their inquiries.”
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Mr Blunt, 63, served within the Ministry of Justice because the minister chargeable for prisons and probation between 2010 and 2012.
He was first elected in 1997 however introduced in May 2022 that he can be standing down on the subsequent common election.
The police had been unable to say if the managed substances had been medication, as assessments are being carried out.
On Thursday, a police spokesman stated: “We can confirm a man was arrested yesterday morning in Horley on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances.
“He has been launched on conditional police bail pending additional inquiries.”
Source: information.sky.com”