Conservative MP in rape case has bail extended by Met Police

A Tory MP accused of rape has had his bail extended once again.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will now remain on bail until late summer.

It is the fifth time the politician’s bail has been extended and will bring his time spent on police bail to 15 months.

In the meantime, he has been asked not to attend the parliamentary estate.

Despite the allegations, and their impact on his ability to serve constituents, Newsquest has confirmed that his local Conservative association has reselected him as its candidate for the next general election.

The MP was arrested on May 17, 2022, on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, abuse of a position of trust and misconduct in a public office.

The case is being handled by the Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime team, which also handled the Downing Street Partygate investigation.

He was initially bailed until June 2022, but his bail was extended to August, then November, then February, then May.

In May, the force said it was seeking an extension to his bail but it was awaiting sign-off by a magistrate.

The Met confirmed today (June 12): “His bail has now been extended to a date in August.”

Police were initially approached in January 2020 with “a report in relation to alleged sexual offences”, it said.

The crimes were said to have occurred in London between 2002 and 2009.

The Met said enquiries remained ongoing.