Tory ex-minister arrested over rape

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/t...rape-qdm897rv2

A former minister has been arrested after a woman in her twenties accused him of rape, sexual assault and coercive control.

The Conservative MP was taken into custody early on Saturday. He has been released on bail to a date later this month.

The complainant, a former parliamentary employee, accuses him of abuse during a relationship last year. She alleges that the MP assaulted her, forced her to have sex and left her so traumatised that she had to go to hospital...

... 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.

[ianch99]

Why is he not suspended? If a teacher is arrested over accusations of touching pupils, he is suspended. If a pilot is arrested over accusations of flying while intoxicated, he is suspended.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by ianch99

Why is he not suspended? If a teacher is arrested over accusations of touching pupils, he is suspended. If a pilot is arrested over accusations of flying while intoxicated, he is suspended.

He should have the party whip withdrawn while investigations continue at least.

Originally Posted by ianch99

Why is he not suspended? If a teacher is arrested over accusations of touching pupils, he is suspended. If a pilot is arrested over accusations of flying while intoxicated, he is suspended.

At the moment he hasn't been charged and suspending the whip would immediately let everyone know who they are.

Whatever the view on anonymity until conviction in rape cases there is still that protection until you're charged so it's better not to undermine that in case that charge doesn't come.

[Taf]

It would be all too easy to discredit someone at a critical time by making a false accusation. So a police investigation into the case, and a decision whether to press charges seems the sensible thing to do.

But if charges were made, based on first evidence, then the person should be suspended immediately.

Originally Posted by Damien

At the moment he hasn't been charged and suspending the whip would immediately let everyone know who they are.

Whatever the view on anonymity until conviction in rape cases there is still that protection until you're charged so it's better not to undermine that in case that charge doesn't come.

And you hit the nail on the head why this thread should not yet have been started. There is not much of a topic in debating and guessing if one is guilty or not.

I said the other day, in another thread about "Innocence until proven guilty" and we're not even in "been charged" territory.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Mick

And you hit the nail on the head why this thread should not yet have been started. There is not much of a topic in debating and guessing if one is guilty or not.

I said the other day, in another thread about "Innocence until proven guilty" and we're not even in "been charged" territory.

All very true - but it's fun to speculate when it's a politician.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Damien

At the moment he hasn't been charged and suspending the whip would immediately let everyone know who they are.

Whatever the view on anonymity until conviction in rape cases there is still that protection until you're charged so it's better not to undermine that in case that charge doesn't come.

I am not sure there is that protection in law.

My point is why is an MP treated differently from many other professions where if arrested on sexual assault charges, they are suspended.

Originally Posted by ianch99

I am not sure there is that protection in law.

My point is why is an MP treated differently from many other professions where if arrested on sexual assault charges, they are suspended.

Yes there is.

The legal tests are very powerful pieces of law:

1) Firstly, the alleged victim has the absolute automatic right under statute to lifelong anonymity. This right can only be waived in writing by the victim themselves.

And...

2) The accused Individuals under investigation by the state have a reasonable expectation of privacy up until the moment of said investigation ending and that they have been charged with a crime.

Cliff Richard's 2018 legal action against the BBC establishes the very nature of these strong privacy laws.

When you talk of teachers and other professions and their suspensions, these are treated differently because there is "safeguarding" issues to be had.

[jfman]

I definitely think there’s a public interest in the name not being published for the sake of due process, for the victim and the accused.

It won’t take a rocket scientist much time to identify the accuser who then lives the next weeks and months in fear of harassment. The accused is entitled to a fair trial. It does appear to put the Party in a slightly awkward position, however the fairness of the police investigation has to come first.

I would hope the Party would be consistent on that though, regardless of whether they are a traitorous remainer or a patriotic Brexiteer.

Originally Posted by jfman

I definitely think there’s a public interest in the name not being published for the sake of due process, for the victim and the accused.

It won’t take a rocket scientist much time to identify the accuser who then lives the next weeks and months in fear of harassment. The accused is entitled to a fair trial. It does appear to put the Party in a slightly awkward position, however the fairness of the police investigation has to come first.

I would hope the Party would be consistent on that though, regardless of whether they are a traitorous remainer or a patriotic Brexiteer.

The media will already know who he is but won't dare go there and name him, newspapers may have argued public interest, but their lawyers will remind them of the recent aforementioned case law, involving Cliff Richard, he won his battle and both BBC and the Police were ordered to hand over £200,000 each to Cliff Richard for damages.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by ianch99

Why is he not suspended? If a teacher is arrested over accusations of touching pupils, he is suspended. If a pilot is arrested over accusations of flying while intoxicated, he is suspended.

Maybe something to do with being an elected representative of his constituency as opposed to an employee.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Maybe something to do with being an elected representative of his constituency as opposed to an employee.

Could still be suspended from the Party, albeit I think it’s not a good idea.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Maybe something to do with being an elected representative of his constituency as opposed to an employee.

He would have the whip removed, not his place in Parliament.

It's better to wait until a charge comes, if it does.

[richard s]

Probably take a couple of years to come to court or could this be fast tracked I wonder.