Tory MP Charlie Elphicke 'probed by police' over alleged sex offences
2 min read
Police have questioned a suspended Conservative MP over alleged sexual offences involving two female members of his staff, it has been reported.
Charlie Elphicke was interviewed under caution by specialist detectives at Scotland Yard last month over claims he targeted two young female aides while he was alone with them, according to the Sunday Times.
It is the first confirmed police case since the Westminster sexual abuse scandal erupted last year.
The married father-of-two said he only found out what the allegations were when he was quizzed by the Met’s sexual offences team, “despite repeated requests to the chief whip and the police”.
“Naturally I am co-operating fully with the police and have made it clear to them that I vigorously deny any wrongdoing whatsoever. I am confident that I will be able to clear my name,” Mr Elphicke told the paper.
“In the meantime, I shall continue, as I have done over the last six months, with the support of constituents and colleagues, to carry out my duties and responsibilities as an MP.”
The Dover and Deal MP was suspended in November over the alleged offences, which are said to have taken place between 2015 and 2017.
According to the Times, one of the complaints was made to the Conservative whips’ office in 2016, while the other was made after the Westminster sex scandal broke.
It adds that the party told the first complainant it would investigate and advised her to go to the police.
Two top ministers - Sir Michael Fallon and Damian Green - were forced to step down last year in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal.
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