Tory MP Charlie Elphicke has been suspended by the Conservative party and referred to the police after “serious” allegations were made against him, the party has said.
As the sexual harassment and sleaze scandal continues, Labour MP Clive Lewis was forced to deny Friday night groping a woman, insisting, “it’s just not how I roll.”
Mr. Elphicke, 46, a former party whip and the MP for Dover since 2010, also denied any wrongdoing and said he was made aware of his suspension by the media before he was informed by the party.
He tweeted: “The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.”
Conservative Chief Whip Julian Smith said: “I have suspended the Conservative Party Whip from Charlie Elphicke MP following serious allegations that have been referred to the police”. Kent Police is yet to release a comment.
Mr. Elphicke also sits on the Commons Treasury Select Committee and is a member of the European Research Group of pro-Brexit Tory MPs.
One of the earliest scalps of the scandal was far-left Labour MP Jared O’Mara, who was found to have made sexist and homophobic comments online.
Jeremy Corby-supporting Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins has been suspended pending an investigation into claims of inappropriate touching and sending suggestive text messages, allegations he “absolutely and categorically” denies.
Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon resigned shortly after as pressure built following accusations of touching a journalist’s knee around 15 years ago. He denies other claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Conservative MPs Damian Green and Mark Garnier are also both facing investigations over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, with Mr. Green denying making “any sexual advances” towards a female journalist and Mr. Garnier admitting asking a former aide to buy sex toys.
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