UK Tory MP accused of sexual offences freed on bail

LONDON AFP May18, 2022 - British police said Wednesday they had released on bail a lawmaker from the ruling Conservative party the day after he was arrested on suspicion of multiple sexual offences, including rape.   

London’s Metropolitan police, who did not name the MP, said officers detained a man in his 50s following allegations of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape and other misconduct offences more than a decade ago.   
A spokeswoman for the Conservatives’ office dealing with party discipline said the MP concerned had been instructed not to attend parliament or its various adjoining buildings while the probe continued.   

Last month, it was revealed at least 56 MPs, including three ministers, are currently being probed over allegations of sexual misconduct by parliament’s own complaints office.   

Conservative lawmaker Neil Parish resigned last month after admitting he had deliberately watched pornography on his mobile phone in the House of Commons chamber.   

Another Tory MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, also quit parliament in April following his conviction for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.