Crispin Blunt says he is Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape in social media post

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2023

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Conservative MP Crispin Blunt says he has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances.

In a statement on X, the Reigate MP said: “It has been reported that an MP was arrested yesterday in connection with an allegation of rape.

“I am confirming that MP was me. The fact of the arrest requires a formal notification of the Speaker and then my chief whip.

“I have now been interviewed twice in connection with this incident, the first time three weeks ago, when I initially reported my concern over extortion. The second time was earlier this morning under caution following arrest.

“The arrest was unnecessary as I remain ready to co-operate fully with the investigation that I am confident will end without charge.”

He added: “I do not intend to say anything further on this matter until the police have completed their inquiries.”

Surrey Police said a man was detained on Wednesday morning in Horley.

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A police spokesman said: “We can confirm a man was arrested yesterday morning (October 25) in Horley on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances.

“He has been released on conditional police bail pending further inquiries.”

The Conservative Party said it would not comment as there is a live police investigation.

But Mr Blunt has had the whip suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation, and has been asked to stay away from the parliamentary estate.

Mr Blunt announced in May 2022 that he would be standing down at the next election

The latest allegations will be a further blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, coming just a week after the Tories suffered two by-election defeats in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth.

The by-election in Tamworth saw Labour overturn a 20,000 majority to take the seat in Staffordshire, which has been held by the Tories since 2010.

The constituency was left vacant by former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, who quit parliament in disgrace after losing his appeal against a suspension from the Commons following groping allegations.

The Labour Party also took Mid Bedfordshire from the Conservatives in a bitter battle with the Lib Dems.

The contest for Mid Bedfordshire kicked off after the resignation of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, who resigned in anger at being denied a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list – but did not officially vacate her seat for 81 days.

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US crypto legislation drives $4B surge in stablecoin supply

Published

1 hour ago

July 24, 2025

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US crypto legislation drives B surge in stablecoin supply

Regulatory clarity is opening the door for banks, asset managers, and crypto firms to roll out new stablecoin products.

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ETH core developer testifies in Roman Storm defense as gov’t rests case

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July 24, 2025

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ETH core developer testifies in Roman Storm defense as gov’t rests case

After about two weeks of hearing from US government witnesses, Roman Storm’s legal team called Preston Van Loon to the stand to kick off its defense case.

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France to become first G7 nation to recognise Palestine as a state

Published

5 hours ago

July 24, 2025

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France to become first G7 nation to recognise Palestine as a state

Emmanuel Macron has said France will recognise Palestine as a state later this year.

The French president announced the major change of policy in a letter to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, which Mr Macron also published online on Thursday evening.

The French leader said he will make the formal announcement at the UN General Assembly, being held in September.

France will become the first G7 member to recognise a Palestinian state.

In his post explaining the decision, Mr Macron called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of the hostages and for much more humanitarian aid to reach those in the territory.

But Israel’s defence minister has called the French decision “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism”.

The move heaps pressure on France’s allies such as the UK, and Sir Keir Starmer insisted tonight that he is “clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”.

But the prime minister has resisted calls from within his own party to recognise Palestine immediately, as he views this as part of the peace process in Gaza.

Currently, half of the G20 recognise Palestine as a state, while nations including the UK, US, Germany and others do not.

But pressure has been growing on Sir Keir to change course, with senior Labour figures including the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan publicly calling for a change in government policy.

Starmer: ‘We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe’

Just hours before Mr Macron’s announcement, Sir Keir said he would be holding an “emergency call” with the leaders of France and Germany over what he termed the “humanitarian catastrophe” happening in Gaza.

In some of the firmest language from the government yet, Sir Keir said that “the suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible”.

He went on to say that it has been “grave for some time”, but that it has now “reached new depths and continues to worsen”.

Sir Keir said: “I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.”

The PM added that “we all agree” on the need for Israel to “change course and allow aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay”.

He wrote: “It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages.”

Across the globe, more than 140 countries recognise Palestine as a state.

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