Following the suspension of MP Peter Bone, at least 11 MPs have been suspended for investigations into sexual misconduct. Additionally, the Conservative Party is facing another by-election. Tory MP Crispin Blunt, 63, has revealed that he was arrested by Surrey Police in Horley on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances. As a result, he has been suspended by the Conservative Party while the investigation takes place. Mr. Blunt, the former minister responsible for prisons and probation, has stated that he is fully willing to cooperate with the investigation and believes that it will end without any charges being made against him.
Mr. Blunt has disclosed that he was interviewed twice about the incident, with the first interview taking place three weeks ago when he reported concerns about extortion. He has made it clear that he will refrain from making further comments until the police complete their inquiries, expressing his confidence in a resolution without charges. A spokesperson for Surrey Police has confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances in Horley, and he has been released on conditional bail pending further investigations.
The Conservative Party has chosen not to provide a statement regarding Mr. Blunt’s arrest. However, Conservative chief whip Simon Hart has confirmed that he instructed Mr. Blunt to stay away from Parliament throughout the proceedings. Mr. Blunt now joins a list of sitting MPs who have faced arrests related to sexual offenses. Since the 2019 election, at least 11 MPs have been suspended for investigations into sexual misconduct. This arrest comes just a week after the Conservative Party removed the whip from MP Peter Bone due to his past bullying and sexual misconduct against a staff member over ten years ago.