Tory MP Julian Knight has been cleared by the police after an allegation of great sexual assault.
Mr Knight, who had been the chair of the Commons’ Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier than the allegation got here to gentle, stated it had been “a single, false and malicious” declare.
He additionally attacked his get together whips for publicly naming him when the story broke, saying their actions “meant my name was dragged through the mud and my good reputation immeasurably damaged”.
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The allegations had been first reported in December final 12 months and confirmed by a spokesperson for Conservative chief whip Simon Hart, who stated he had eliminated the whip from Mr Knight “with immediate effect” – leaving him sitting as an impartial MP.
Mr Knight stated on the time that he was “entirely innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever”, and claimed nobody from the whips workplace, the police or parliament’s inside grievance service had spoken to him earlier than his title was introduced.
Releasing an announcement after the investigation into him was dropped, Mr Knight stated: “The truth is that there was by no means something for the police to research.
“This was a single, false and malicious allegation initially brought to them by third parties, each of whom had their own clear motives for doing so.”
He added: “In publicly naming me in connection with the allegation, the Conservative Whips’ Office acted disgracefully and in breach of natural justice by removing my anonymity.
“Their actions meant my title was dragged by means of the mud and my good repute immeasurably broken.”
‘False and scandalous’
Mr Knight also criticised the police for their conduct in the investigation, saying: “Had the police taken the straightforward step on the outset of interviewing me below warning, they might have seen that the allegation was false and scandalous.
“Instead, they waited four months, without ever talking to me, before deciding there was nothing for them to investigate.”
He stated it was his intention to “use every legal route available to pursue those inside and outside parliament involved in having this allegation brought against me”.
The MP, who had recused himself from parliament whereas the investigation came about, stated he was wanting ahead to the “immediate return” of the get together whip.
Asked about Mr Knight’s case, the Metropolitan Police stated they might not verify the title of anybody who was topic of an investigation.
But the pressure launched an announcement, saying: “On 28 October 2022, police received allegations of serious sexual assault against un-named victims reported to have taken place on unknown dates at undisclosed locations.
“On 7 December 2022, an additional referral referring to the incident[s] was made and an investigation was launched.
“Police are no longer proceeding with an investigation.”
The Conservative Party has been contacted for a response.
Source: information.sky.com”