A senior MP who was cleared of significant sexual assault will step down on the subsequent election as he mentioned “no job or political career” is definitely worth the stress of the investigation – and additional claims.
Julian Knight, 51, was suspended from the Conservative Party in December final yr after an allegation was made towards him to the Metropolitan Police by a number of unnamed individuals.
The MP for Solihull since 2015 has at all times maintained his innocence and on 2 April, police dropped the investigation with out questioning Mr Knight.
But he remained suspended from the Tory celebration because the chief whip, who organises the celebration’s MPs, mentioned “further complaints” had been made towards him.
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Mr Knight, a former BBC and Independent on Sunday journalist, has now mentioned he won’t attempt to get the Tory whip restored and can stay as an impartial till the subsequent election, when he’ll stand down.
He can be contemplating whether or not to register a legal grievance towards the one that made the preliminary allegation, which he mentioned the police not too long ago invited him to do.
“The past year has been for my wife and I the worst of our lives,” he mentioned.
“The false and malicious accusation brought against me last December did untold damage to my physical and mental well-being as well as causing pain and distress to my loved ones.”
Mr Knight beforehand mentioned the Conservative whips’ workplace acted “disgracefully and in breach of natural justice” by publicly naming him in reference to the December allegation.
He mentioned on Friday he “believed the nightmare was over” and though delayed, justice had prevailed.
But he added: “However, the whips’ office immediately made a statement about unspecified further complaints which tarnished my name and left my family and me in limbo.”
The MP mentioned he has been making an attempt to find the character of the recent allegations “so that I could deny them, since I know I am guilty of no wrong-doing”.
But he mentioned the whips wouldn’t give him any particulars or a timeline, as he burdened he’s “not under any formal investigation by any parliamentary authority”.
“Nevertheless, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that no job or political career is worth this,” he added.
“I will not be requesting the return of the Conservative whip. I do this in sorrow and not in anger.”
Mr Knight may even relinquish his place as chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee as he mentioned he now has no alternative as a result of it’s a celebration place and is formally an impartial MP now.
He thanked his colleagues from all events on the committee and his native celebration members in Solihull “who have been a wonderful support” throughout his time as an MP.
“Most of all though I wish to acknowledge the support of my wife and loved ones during this traumatic and exhausting time,” he added.
The MP mentioned “now is not the time” however he shall be taking authorized recommendation about whether or not to just accept the police’s invitation to make a legal grievance towards the one that made the claims in December.
Content Source: information.sky.com