MP Julian Knight faces new misconduct allegations

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/28/mp-julian-knight-faces-new-misconduct-allegations

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Complaints to parliamentary authorities and to police come after Met dropped investigation into MP last month

Four women have complained to the parliamentary authorities about MP Julian Knight since police dropped an investigation into him, it has been reported.

The fresh complaints are thought to be about inappropriate comments and behaviour, according to the BBC.

The broadcaster also claims five different women and a third-party witness have raised sexual misconduct allegations about him to the police.

The complainants are separate, which means nine women are said to have made complaints about him in total.

The allegations to police and parliamentary authorities range from inappropriate comments to sexual assault, according to the broadcaster.

Some of the complaints allege there was a pattern of behaviour, with Knight contacting women on social media to offer career support before making inappropriate comments or approaches, the broadcaster said.

Knight, who was elected Conservative MP for Solihull, strongly denies wrongdoing.

He has said a “single” and “baseless” complaint was made about him to the Metropolitan police last October. He subsequently lost the party whip when news of the complaint emerged.

The force dropped the investigation last month, saying no arrests had been made, but his bid to have the Conservative whip restored was rejected over further complaints.

At the time, a spokesperson for the chief whip, Simon Hart, said the complaints would be referred to detectives “if appropriate”.

Knight told the PA news agency: “As I have repeatedly said, I am fully aware of the circumstances of the single complaint made against me to the Metropolitan police and the motivations of those involved in making it.

“This baseless complaint was dismissed by the police without their even feeling the need to interview me, which they never did.

“I have not been made aware of any details of allegations supposedly made subsequently against me to any parliamentary authorities.

“Nor am I the subject of any investigation by parliament’s independent complaints and grievance scheme.

“Should I become the subject of any such investigation, I will fully and publicly defend myself against any allegations.

“Meanwhile it is deplorable that, despite the police decision, I remain the subject of what appears to be a smear campaign conducted through leaks, false innuendo and briefings.”