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MP Charlie Elphicke 'does not know what he is accused of' MP Charlie Elphicke 'does not know what he is accused of'
(about 4 hours later)
A Conservative MP suspended by his party after "serious allegations" were made against him says he still does not know what he is accused of.A Conservative MP suspended by his party after "serious allegations" were made against him says he still does not know what he is accused of.
Charlie Elphicke, a former party whip who has been the MP for Dover and Deal since 2010, has denied any "criminal wrongdoing".Charlie Elphicke, a former party whip who has been the MP for Dover and Deal since 2010, has denied any "criminal wrongdoing".
In a statement, the married 46-year-old said: "So what then is [the] explanation for what I am accused of?"In a statement, the married 46-year-old said: "So what then is [the] explanation for what I am accused of?"
The Conservative Party has not yet commented on his statement.The Conservative Party has not yet commented on his statement.
Referring to an explanation for his suspension, Mr Elphicke said: "I cannot give one. Because I do not know what I am accused of."Referring to an explanation for his suspension, Mr Elphicke said: "I cannot give one. Because I do not know what I am accused of."
He claimed the process being followed by the party was "fundamentally wrong".
The Conservatives have recently published a new code of conduct for MPs and other elected representatives.The Conservatives have recently published a new code of conduct for MPs and other elected representatives.
'Denial of justice''Denial of justice'
Mr Elphicke, who was suspended last Friday, added: "The fact is that this whole area of reporting misconduct and managing allegations of misconduct is a mess."Mr Elphicke, who was suspended last Friday, added: "The fact is that this whole area of reporting misconduct and managing allegations of misconduct is a mess."
He said he had received no further information since being told by the chief whip that serious allegations made against him had been passed to the police.He said he had received no further information since being told by the chief whip that serious allegations made against him had been passed to the police.
"I asked what the allegations were and he would not tell me," he said."I asked what the allegations were and he would not tell me," he said.
"He only said that he and the prime minister had decided the whip should be suspended from me."He only said that he and the prime minister had decided the whip should be suspended from me.
"So extraordinary as it may seem, I am no wiser now than I was on Friday evening.""So extraordinary as it may seem, I am no wiser now than I was on Friday evening."
It is not clear which police force is dealing with the allegations, but when asked for a statement the Metropolitan Police said: "The Met does not identify any person who may, or may not be, subject to an investigation.It is not clear which police force is dealing with the allegations, but when asked for a statement the Metropolitan Police said: "The Met does not identify any person who may, or may not be, subject to an investigation.
"Following the receipt of any allegation, investigating officers will only make contact with potential suspects if and when it is operationally appropriate to do so.""Following the receipt of any allegation, investigating officers will only make contact with potential suspects if and when it is operationally appropriate to do so."
Mr Elphicke said it was "a denial of justice when people who have had allegations made against them, lose their job or their party whip without knowing what those allegations are".Mr Elphicke said it was "a denial of justice when people who have had allegations made against them, lose their job or their party whip without knowing what those allegations are".
He said this was "fundamentally wrong" and an "injustice to those who stand accused".He said this was "fundamentally wrong" and an "injustice to those who stand accused".
Everyone should be "equal before the law", and was "innocent until proven otherwise".Everyone should be "equal before the law", and was "innocent until proven otherwise".
Mr Elphicke concluded: "Whatever it turns out I stand accused of, I deny any criminal wrongdoing."Mr Elphicke concluded: "Whatever it turns out I stand accused of, I deny any criminal wrongdoing."