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Brittan says historical rape claim 'wholly unfounded' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Lord Brittan has said an historical allegation of rape against him is "wholly without foundation". | |
The former home secretary confirmed he had been questioned by police about a "serious allegation made against me". | The former home secretary confirmed he had been questioned by police about a "serious allegation made against me". |
The Independent on Sunday said Lord Brittan was understood to have been questioned last month about the claim, which relates to an incident in London in 1967. | The Independent on Sunday said Lord Brittan was understood to have been questioned last month about the claim, which relates to an incident in London in 1967. |
Lord Brittan, 74, was not an MP at the time of the alleged rape. | Lord Brittan, 74, was not an MP at the time of the alleged rape. |
In a statement, the Conservative peer said: "It is true that I have been questioned by the police about a serious allegation made against me. This allegation is wholly without foundation." | In a statement, the Conservative peer said: "It is true that I have been questioned by the police about a serious allegation made against me. This allegation is wholly without foundation." |
Inquiries continue | Inquiries continue |
Scotland Yard said that in late 2012 a woman claimed to police that she was raped by a man at an address in the capital. It said the woman was over 18 at the time of the incident. | Scotland Yard said that in late 2012 a woman claimed to police that she was raped by a man at an address in the capital. It said the woman was over 18 at the time of the incident. |
Police added that a man in his 70s was interviewed under caution, by appointment, at a central London location last month. He was not arrested and inquiries continue. | Police added that a man in his 70s was interviewed under caution, by appointment, at a central London location last month. He was not arrested and inquiries continue. |
Lord Brittan was home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government from 1983 to 1985. | Lord Brittan was home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government from 1983 to 1985. |
Lord Brittan, who was first elected as an MP in 1974, later became Trade and Industry Secretary. He stood down from the Commons when he became a European commissioner in 1989. | Lord Brittan, who was first elected as an MP in 1974, later became Trade and Industry Secretary. He stood down from the Commons when he became a European commissioner in 1989. |
Downing Street sources have said they did not know about the questioning. | Downing Street sources have said they did not know about the questioning. |
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