'It shows they never cared': Former Commons aide who accuses senior Tory MP of rape hits out at Conservatives for not suspending him after his arrest

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The former Commons aide who accused a senior Tory MP of sexual assault has said she is 'devastated' he has not been suspended from the party.

Chief Whip Mark Spencer is under mounting pressure to strip the ex-minister of the Conservative whip following his arrest on suspicion of rape. 

But last night it was confirmed the accused MP's position in the party would only be reviewed after Scotland Yard completes its police investigation. 

The alleged victim hit out at the party for not taking swift action and told The Times: 'It's insulting and shows they never cared.'

A former parliamentary researcher in her twenties, she claims the ex-minister assaulted her and forced her to have sex.

Last night it was confirmed the accused MP's position in the party would only be reviewed after Scotland Yard completes its police investigation (Houses of Parliament pictured)

She also claims to have been left so traumatised by their relationship last year that she ended up in hospital.

Her calls last night for the MP, who cannot be named, to be suspended from the party was echoed from figures on all sides of the political divide.

Women within the Tory ranks are demanding the Party to take action after a former Conservative MP was last week convicted of sexual assault.

An ex-Tory minister told the Daily Telegraph: 'I'm surprised the whip hasn't been removed considering what happened to Charlie Elphicke. I think the chief has a lot to answer for.'

In a statement issued by his local association, its chairman said the MP disputed the allegations.  

The chairman of the association, who the Daily Mail has chosen not to name, said: '[The MP] has made us aware of allegations made against him. 

'He denies these totally. And this association give him our 100 per cent support.

'Some of the officers of this association have known him for around 25 years and from our knowledge of him in a political and personal capacity we can't accept that there is any truth whatsoever in these accusations.'

There was no sign yesterday of the MP at his home, where he was arrested on Saturday. 

Chief Whip Mark Spencer (pictured) is under mounting pressure to strip the ex-minister of the Conservative whip following his arrest on suspicion of rape

The blinds were drawn at the detached property. Neighbours said he wasn't seen at the house often but would campaign in the area around the time of general elections.

The Metropolitan Police said it had received allegations on Friday of sexual offences and assault relating to four separate incidents at addresses in London, including in Westminster, between July last year and January this year.

A spokesman said: 'The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.' A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of rape and was taken into custody at an east London police station, the force added. He was later released on bail to a date in mid-August.

A spokesman for the Tory whips office said: 'These are serious allegations and it is right that they are investigated fully. The whip has not been suspended. This decision will be reviewed once the police investigation has been concluded.'

In contrast, former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke had the whip removed when he was accused of sex offences by two women in 2017. He was convicted last week.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said he did not know the name of the MP involved, but added that he was 'confident' the party was taking the matter seriously.

'I've read the accusations in the newspapers this morning but I don't know more than you do in that respect,' the Cabinet minister told Times Radio.

'These are very serious allegations and they should be investigated. They're in the hands of the police, so I don't think I can comment any more than that.

Asked whether he personally wanted to see the Tory whip removed from the MP under police investigation, Mr Jenrick said: 'We need to take allegations of this nature very seriously and I'm confident that the party is, and will do.' 

Labour said it was shocking that the MP in the new case had been allowed to stay in the party and said he would have been suspended in any other profession.

Shadow safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has criticised the Tories for failing to suspend the whip from the MP in question, a move that would effectively eject him from the party.

Speaking to Times Radio, the Labour MP said: 'It is very difficult to comment on the case itself, because it is quite rightly in front of the criminal justice system.

'But what I would say in this matter, is in any organisation - especially one like Members of Parliament who every day work with vulnerable people, young activists, members of staff - in any other organisation, were this police investigation to be going on, somebody would be suspended while the investigation was taking place.'

Calling the lack of action 'shocking', Ms Phillips said it sent a 'terrible message' that senior figures were still able to secure 'protection' from their Westminster status.

She added: 'While pending a police investigation for a sexual crime, I think it is only right that the whip is withdrawn.'

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat leadership candidate, said the MP should be suspended.

'Given the seriousness of these allegations and that suspension in a workplace or anywhere else is actually a neutral act – it's a thing that you do in order to set off an investigation of your own, and allow other investigations to complete – I would urge them to think again on that decision,' she said.

A spokesman for Chief Whip Mr Spencer said: 'The Chief Whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations.'

A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously. As this matter is now in the hands of the police it would be inappropriate to comment further.'

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