From the Sunday Times...

In the latest case, a fellow Conservative MP first raised the woman’s allegation with Mark Spencer, the chief whip, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, after speaking to the alleged victim a month ago.

The woman also spoke to Spencer directly. However, no action was taken. A spokesman for 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.”

It is understood that Spencer does not believe a sexual assault was reported to him in his conversation with the complainant, but acknowledges that she reported abusive behaviour and threats.

If this report is correct, why was the MP concerned not immediately suspended/whip removed until these extremely serious allegations were thoroughly investigated? Why was this MP allowed to continue to work with other possible victims within Parliament? Why did Mark Spencer/JRM not report the case immediately to the police?

From the bbc...

A Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape will not be suspended from the party while investigations are ongoing, the party's whips' office has said.

A spokesman said the allegations were "serious" and "it is right that they are investigated fully".

The Sunday Times reported the allegations against the former minister had been made by an ex-parliamentary employee.

The MP, in his 50s, was arrested on Saturday and has since been bailed.

The Metropolitan Police said the allegations related to four separate incidents claimed to have taken place between July 2019 and January 2020.

A spokesman for the Conservative Party whips' office said: "The whip has not been suspended. This decision will be reviewed once the police investigation has been concluded."

This means he can continue to sit in the House of Commons as a Conservative.

Labour said this decision was "shocking" and sent a "terrible message from Westminster".

The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, said the complainant alleges that the MP assaulted her, forced her to have sex and left her so traumatised that she had to go to hospital.

The Metropolitan Police said it had launched an investigation into the allegations.

"On Friday, 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault," the force said in a statement.

"These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

"A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday 1 August on suspicion of rape. He has been released on bail to return on a date in mid-August."

For Labour, shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding Jess Phillips told Times Radio the MP accused of rape should have the party whip withdrawn while investigations continued.

She said that not doing so was "sending a terrible message from Westminster".

Ms Phillips also said: "I find it shocking… that the Conservative Party has decided not to withdraw the whip in this case."

There are also reports that the Conservative Party's chief whip, Mark Spencer, had been aware of allegations - and previously spoke with the alleged victim.

According to sources, Mr Spencer had not known the "magnitude" of the allegations.

A spokesman for the chief whip said that he took all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and had strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities.

Whispering, I am not saying anyone is guilty. However, the seriousness of the allegations suggests he should be removed from that place immediately. I wouldn't wish my daughter to be his new intern.

Maybe he has more money?

Maybe they doubt credibility of evidence?

He's innocent until proven guilty?


These things can come back to bite if a guilty verdict is reached
or a guilty plea is entered.

Would they have to reveal his identity if they suspended him?

The reason why they name people is to encourage other victims to come foward.

I think in this case they have narrowed the field enough without having to name him.

BTW --how many ex cabinet ministers in their 50s are there?

I'm sure someone will have checked the runners.

elphicke had the whip restored just so he could vote for may's hopeless deal

What price is CG?

elphicke had the whip restored

Oh dear. Oh dear.

whip was restored so he could vote for may in the no confidence vote

I think Richie is correct,Grayling wouldn't be capable.
As it's a woman Fox is a bit of a long-shot as well.

didnt no francois was ever a minister
not certain but probably someone who lost his job in reshuffle but could have been a minister years ago,
and as he,s been protected its a nap he,s a rabid brexiteer,
i,ll have 50p ew on MH ,ew only because i always had him down as more inclined to chase dr fox around the room

The Sunday Times reported that the allegations against the former minister had been made by an ex-parliamentary employee.

A spokesman for the chief whip said that he took all accusations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and had strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities.

According to sources, Mr Spencer had not known the "magnitude" of the allegations.

But a report in the Daily Telegraph suggested the woman became frustrated after they spoke that nothing was done.

What sort of "magnitude" does multiple alleged serious sexual assaults come under?

If she wanted money she would have gone to the press long before she went to the police.

thats why he,ll be outed shortly by fellow tory,s as their implicated on social media etc in guessing game

person getting a lot of attention on twatter seems to be the holy grail and to much to hope for , maybe she didnt actually read the 518 page withhdrawl agreement in full, ,so was punished

daily mail have spoken to his local party members,oifficials,soits ok for trhe media,tory party,and local constituents to keep their wives ,daughters away ftrom him if they choose,but the plebs dont get that choice,absolutely shocking,if the police dont go ahead the ladies going to go to media anyway so any normal innocent bloke would out himself and get his version of evrents out there,and not hope they wake up and its all gone away,its already turned in  to a huge tory party conspiracy
so obvious its a high profile,public face of brexit, would explain why a certain name has been mentioned on this forum of been missing in action since the election as compared to before the election

Under Boris, 21 MPs had the whip withdrawn for voting against the Brexit bill. Also under Boris, one of his former minister MPs is allegedly accused of multiple sexual offences including rape but doesn't have the whip removed.