The arrest comes as a blow to Rishi Sunak amidst an escalating series of party scandals
Leading Conservative MP, Crispin Blunt, has faced arrest on serious allegations of rape and the possession of controlled substances. Blunt, in a poignant acknowledgment, stated, “It has been reported that an MP was arrested yesterday in connection with an allegation of rape. I am confirming that MP was me.“
Despite his willingness to cooperate, he expressed concerns regarding the necessity of the arrest and anticipates the inquiry to end without charges being levied against him. Surrey police have confirmed the arrest and mentioned his release on conditional police bail.
This incident has delivered another significant setback for Rishi Sunak, who’s already grappling with a slew of sleaze allegations concerning party members. Notably, just a day prior, former Conservative minister Peter Bone faced a suspension for six weeks due to accusations of bullying and sexual misconduct, including an upheld claim of indecent exposure.
Furthermore, the previous Deputy Chief Whip, Chris Pincher, found himself in hot waters and lost his seat in light of a groping incident at a private members club. In a significant political shift, Labour recently claimed his Tamworth constituency in a by-election.
Though Blunt’s arrest is unrelated to the scandals involving the aforementioned Tories, the continuous spate of controversies around the party members is alarming. In the past, Sunak had fervently expressed his commitment to rectifying the prevalent sleaze crisis, remarking, “I will take whatever steps are necessary to restore integrity back into politics. Integrity is really important to me.“
This series of events serves as a stern reminder of the urgent need for accountability and the restoration of trust in the political arena. Source
