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Police have dropped an investigation into allegations of rape against a Conservative MP and former minister.
The deputy, who has not been identified, was arrested on suspicion of rape on August 1 and later released on bail.
He was charged with sexual offenses and assault related to four alleged incidents in London. But on Sunday the metropolitan police said the accusations had not met “the evidentiary test.”
A spokeswoman said “no further action will be taken” after a “thorough investigation”, adding: “The complainant has been informed of the decision.”
In August, the deputy agreed not to attend the House of Commons while the allegations were investigated. At the time, the Conservative Party resisted calls to suspend the MP’s whip while the investigation continued. Whip chief Mark Spencer said it was up to the police to investigate.
The alleged victim told the Sunday Times that she intends to appeal the decision under the Victims’ Rights Review Plan.
Numerous reports after the man’s arrest on Aug. 2 said the allegations were brought up with Tory Chief Whip Mark Spencer, and the plaintiff also spoke with him, but no action was taken.
A spokesperson for Mr. Spencer said: “The Chief Whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anyone who has approached him to contact the proper authorities, including the independent plan of complaints and grievances from Parliament, which can carry out formally independent and confidential investigations. ”
A spokesman for the Conservative Party said at the time: “We take all allegations of this nature very seriously. As this matter is now in the hands of the police, it would be inappropriate to comment further. ”
The investigation came days after former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke was convicted in Southwark Crown Court in a separate case of sexually assaulting two women, one of whom was a parliamentary worker.
