The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving allegations against the committee head in October and December but reports that no arrests have been made.
Julian Knight, a member of the Conservative Party, has been suspended from the parliamentary party following claims of serious sexual assault filed to the Metropolitan Police.
A spokesman for the chief whip of the Conservatives, Simon Hart, stated last night that a complaint was lodged with the police, and as a result, he removed the whip “with immediate effect.”
Mr. Knight, who is also the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee of the House of Commons, will now serve as an independent member of parliament.
However, the Met has now given additional information, stating in a statement: “On October 28th, police received claims of serious sexual assaults committed against unidentified individuals on unknown dates and at unknown locations.
“On the 7th of December, another incident referral was filed and an inquiry was initiated.
Investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made.
Mr. Knight sent a letter to the chief whip on Twitter, stating, “For the avoidance of any doubt, I can state clearly that I am completely innocent of any misconduct whatsoever.”
He said that no one from Mr. Hart’s office had contacted him before he had the whip withdrawn or before he was named in their statement. He also claimed that he had not heard from the police or the parliament’s internal grievance department.
“It seems regrettable and unjust that I must make this remark following the public association of my good name as a Conservative member of Congress with a presumably grave but unspecified offense,” the lawmaker continued.
“By unilaterally and publicly suspending the whip, you have deprived me of my right to anonymity or a fair hearing in any court of law or the court of public opinion.”
He also said on Wednesday that he would recuse himself from parliament “until the problem is settled.”
According to a source close to the chief whip, he spoke with Mr. Knight yesterday night.
Mr. Knight entered Parliament in 2015, representing the constituency of Solihull, having previously worked as a journalist.
