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Former minister Crispin Blunt has revealed that he was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances. In a statement, the Reigate MP confirmed that he had been interviewed twice by the police regarding the incident. Blunt had initially raised concerns about "extortion" with the police three weeks ago. He is cooperating with Surrey Police's investigation and expressed confidence that he will not be charged. The police have yet to confirm whether the controlled substances are drugs, as tests are still being conducted.
Following his arrest, the Conservative Party withdrew the whip from Blunt, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP and has been asked to stay away from Parliament. Blunt has been the Conservative MP for Reigate since the 1997 general election. He served as a justice minister from 2010 to 2012 and chaired the influential Foreign Affairs Committee. In April, Blunt apologized for defending former MP Imran Ahmad Khan after his conviction for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. Blunt called the verdict a "dreadful miscarriage of justice" but later retracted his comments. He announced in May that he would be stepping down as an MP at the next election.
In his statement, Blunt confirmed that he had been arrested and informed the Speaker and his chief whip. He stated that he had been interviewed twice, once three weeks ago when he reported concerns about extortion, and a second time under caution following his arrest. Blunt believes that his arrest was unnecessary and expressed readiness to fully cooperate with the investigation, confident that it will conclude without charges. He has chosen not to comment further until the police have completed their inquiries.
A police spokesman confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances in Horley. The man has been released on conditional police bail while further inquiries are conducted. The Conservative Party has declined to comment on the matter. This incident is the latest in a series of sexual misconduct allegations involving the party. Another Conservative MP in his 50s was arrested in May 2022 on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, abuse of position of trust, and misconduct in a public office. He is currently on bail until mid-February 2024.
In a recent turn of events, the governing Conservative Party, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, has been hit with yet another incident. The party's long-serving MP, Crispin Blunt, has been arrested, adding to the growing list of controversies surrounding the Conservatives.
Blunt, who has been representing Reigate since 1997, has held important positions within the party, including serving as a justice minister and chairing the House of Commons foreign affairs committee. However, his arrest has raised serious concerns about the party's reputation and its ability to maintain strong leadership.
This incident comes just days after another Conservative MP was suspended amid allegations of bullying and harassment towards a staff member. The party's handling of such cases has drawn criticism and fuelled speculation about a toxic culture within its ranks.
As the Conservatives navigate through these turbulent times, questions arise about their ability to effectively govern and maintain public trust. The party will undoubtedly face heightened scrutiny as it deals with the fallout from these recent controversies.
It remains to be seen how the Conservatives will address these issues and restore faith in their leadership. As the public watches closely, the party's ability to handle these challenges will undoubtedly shape its political future.
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