The Conservative MP arrested on suspicion of rape and other offences has been bailed, as Liz Truss said she was worried that there were once again “appalling” accusations against a parliamentarian.
The MP was arrested on Tuesday after being accused of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years between 2002 and 2009.
Scotland Yard said the unnamed man in his 50s was also detained on suspicion of indecent assault, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office.
The MP has not been suspended by the Conservative party but Chris Heaton-Harris, the chief whip, asked him to stay away from parliament.
Truss, the foreign secretary, said she did not know the identity of the MP but defended the whips’ decision, saying the party needed to wait until the conclusion of the police investigation.
But she added: “I’m very, very concerned about the reports that I’ve heard. Clearly, this is a matter for the police.
“The police are currently working on the case but it is worrying that we are seeing these appalling … accusations, again, about a parliamentarian.”
The arrest comes at a time when the Conservatives have faced multiple scandals relating to sexual abuse and misbehaviour.
A date was announced on Tuesday for two byelections triggered by the resignation of Conservative MPs. Imran Ahmad Khan, the former MP for Wakefield, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, while the former Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish admitted watching pornography in the House of Commons chamber.
Both contests will take place on 23 June, with Labour hoping to win in Wakefield, and the Liberal Democrats positioning themselves as the challengers in Tiverton and Honiton. The Lib Dems pulled off a shock victory in North Shropshire last year after Owen Paterson resigned over paid lobbying.
Another Conservative MP, David Warburton, who represents Somerton and Frome, has had the whip suspended while under investigation for sexual harassment by the Commons’ independent complaints and grievance scheme.
Details of the MP’s arrest emerged during what the government had hoped would be “crime week”, with announcements on toughening up policing. The prime minister told his cabinet on Tuesday morning: “Crime, crime, crime is what we want to focus on.”
