Solihull MP cleared by Met Police of sexual assault allegation

The Metropolitan Police has dropped its investigation into Tory MP Julian Knight, after an allegation of sexual assault.

Knight, MP for Solihull, was suspended from the Conservative party when the claim came to light, leaving him to sit as an independent and have his whip removed immediately; which he said was “wrong and unjustified”. He has always denied the allegations.

Now he has been cleared Knight has attacked party whips for acting “disgracefully” after publicly revealing his name in connected with the allegations, meaning it was “dragged through the mud and my good reputation immeasurably damaged”.

The Tory whips office has since revealed it will not be restoring Knight as an MP after receiving more “complaints”.

The spokesperson said: “Following further complaints made to the Whips Office, we will not be restoring the whip to Julian Knight.

“These complaints, if appropriate, will be referred to the relevant police force, or appropriate bodies.”

Before the statement from the whips office, Knight criticised the office and the police on Twitter:

“The fact is that there was never anything for the police to investigate. This was a single, false and malicious allegation initially brought to them by third parties, each of whom had their own clear motives for doing so.

“In publicly naming me in connection with the allegation, the Conservative Whips Office acted disgracefully and in breach of natural justice by removing my anonymity. Their actions meant my name was dragged through the mud and my good reputation immeasurably damaged.

“The conduct of one person in the Whips Office, and the language used towards me, was particularly egregious.

“Had the police taken the simple step at outset of interviewing me under caution, they would have seen that the allegation was false and scandalous . Instead they waited four months, without ever talking to me, before deciding there was nothing for them to investigate.

“I have been left effectively to prove my innocence through my public statements and letters to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Whip. That cannot be right.

“It is now my intention to use every legal route available to pursue those inside and outside Parliament involved in having this allegation brought against me.

“Meanwhile I look forward to the immediate return of the Conservative Whip so that I can again represent my constituents on behalf of the Party, as a member of which, they elected me.”

Knight, who has been an MP since 2015 and was chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, will now continue to sit as an independent.

The Metropolitan Police released a statement, saying: “On 28 October 2022, police received allegations of serious sexual assault against un-named victims reported to have taken place on unknown dates at undisclosed locations.

“On 7 December 2022, a further referral relating to the incident[s] was made and an investigation was launched.

“Police are no longer proceeding with an investigation.”