Tory MP Charlie Elphicke has whip suspended as 'serious allegations' referred to the police

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke for Dover has had the whip suspended
PA
Ella Wills3 November 2017
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Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been suspended from the party following "serious allegations" that have been referred to the police.

Chief whip Julian Smith said he has suspended the MP for Dover, who has held the post since 2010, amid the claims.

But the Dover MP has denied any wrongdoing and said he is "not aware" of the claims.

Mr Elphicke tweeted: "The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing."

The MP, 46, is a member of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, and has represented the south coast seat since 2010.

He was a Government whip under former prime minister David Cameron between 2015-16.

His denial came after Mr Smith, who was appointed Chief Whip on Thursday, said: "I have suspended the Conservative Party Whip from Charlie Elphicke MP following serious allegations that have been referred to the police."

This the latest in a storm of allegations to hit Westminster this week.

On Thursday Labour MP for Luton North Kelvin Hopkins was suspended after claims of sexual harassment were made by a young woman.

Mr Hopkins is facing allegations he sent suggestive texts and behaved inappropriately to 27-year-old Labour activist Ava Etemadzadeh.

Allegations: Labour party MP for Luton North, Kelvin Hopkins
AFP/Getty Images

The MP issued a statement “categorically” denying allegations of inappropriate conduct on Friday.

But he admitted to sending a text message that said: "A nice young man would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend and lover...Were I to be young...but I am not..."

Meanwhile, Labour MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis denied allegations of sexual harassment that are alleged to have taken place at the party’s annual conference.

MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis has denied claims of misconduct
PA

After it was claimed that Mr Lewis gave a woman’s backside “a big squeeze” at the 2017 event, the MP told The Independent: “It’s not what I do, it’s not my style, it’s not how I roll.”

MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis has denied claims of misconduct.

The Labour Party is investigating the conduct of both Mr Hopkins and Mr Lewis.

Prime Minister Theresa May has released a new code of conduct for Conservative Party representatives to combat the spate of sexual harassment claims in recent weeks.

And Labour has said it will appoint an independent organisation to offer support and advice to anyone affected by sexual harassment in the party.

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