Julian Knight has whip suspended after ‘complaint to Met Police’

Conservative MP Julian Knight has had the whip removed after a complaint was made about him to the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday evening.

A spokeswoman for Simon Hart, the Tory chief whip, said: "Following a complaint made to the Metropolitan Police this evening, we have removed the whip from Julian Knight MP with immediate effect."

It is unclear what the nature of the complaint is at this stage.

Knight is chair of the digital, culture, media and sport committee and has been an MP since 2015.

He represents the Solihull constituency in the West Midlands.

Julian Knight responded to the news of the complaint and his removal of the whip as a Conservative, tweeting on Thursday morning: “I have heard nothing from the police, the Whips Office or Parliament’s Internal Grievance Service, or been the subject of any investigation by the latter. Nor have I ever been warned or spoken to by the Whips office about any allegations of misconduct.”

He added: “I believe their withdrawal of the whip is wrong and unjustified. Some months ago I accepted the resignation of a staff member following a full enquiry into his conduct regarding House of Commons security issues and, separately, allegations of bullying against him.”

The MP went on to say: “Subsequently, I have received what my lawyers advise are explicit threats involving blackmail as well as being at the centre of a campaign of rumour and innuendo. All matters are now with my lawyers and I will be recusing myself from Parliament until the matter is resolved.”