CRISPIN Blunt has identified himself as the Tory MP who has been arrested on suspicion of rape.
He has been stripped of the Conservative whip and asked to stay away from Parliament during the course of the police investigation.
In a statement posted to Twitter/X just over an hour after the allegations were first reported, the Reigate MP appeared to suggest he believed he was being extorted through the allegation.
Blunt said he had been questioned by police twice about the incident and that he believed the arrest was “unnecessary” because he was “ready to co-operate fully with the investigation”.
The 63-year-old wrote: “It has been reported that an MP was arrested yesterday in connection with an allegation of rape. I am confirming that MP was me.
“The fact of the arrest requires a formal notification of the Speaker and then my chief whip.
“I have now been interviewed twice in connection with this incident, the first time three weeks ago, when I initially reported my concern over extortion. The second time was earlier this morning under caution following arrest.
“The arrest was unnecessary as I remain ready to co-operate fully with the investigation that I am confident will end without charge.
"I do not intend to say anything further on this matter until the police have completed their inquiries.”
Blunt has served as the MP for Reigate in Surrey since 1997. He came out as gay in 2010 and separated from his wife Victoria Jenkins.
A Surrey Police spokesman said: "We can confirm a man was arrested yesterday morning [October 25] in Horley on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances.
"He has been released on conditional police bail pending further enquiries."
