4 Dec 2014

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard arrested over rape allegation

Tory backbencher Mark Pritchard has been arrested and bailed over an allegation of rape.

Mark Pritchard MP

The MP for the Wrekin voluntarily attended Holborn police station on Tuesday evening over an incident alleged to have happened in central London. He was released on police bail after four hours.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 48-year-old man voluntarily attended a north London police station on Tuesday, December 2 where he was arrested, following an allegation of rape in central London.

“He has been bailed to a date in early January 2015 pending further inquiries.”

A letter about what had happened was sent by the police to the speaker of the House of Commons and was noted in the record of votes and proceedings of the House of Commons, as is standard when an MP is arrested.

Mr Pritchard has represented the Wrekin constituency in Shropshire since 2005. He admitted recently that he had “seriously considered” joining Ukip during 2013, but had now pledged to stick with the Conservatives.

He is a member of the UK joint national security strategy committee and vice-chairman of the Conservative foreign affairs and defence parliamentary committee, in addition to a number of other parliamentary roles.