Police drop investigation into Chair of DCMS Select Committee

A police investigation into claims made against the Chair of the influential select committee that scrutinises arts and culture policy has been dropped.

Julian Knight was suspended by the Conservative Party in December after a complaint was made to police.

The BBC reports that the Metropolitan Police are no longer proceeding with an investigation and there have been no arrests.

In a statement issued via Twitter, Knight said: “The fact is that there was never anything for the police to investigate. This was a single, false and malicious allegation initially brought to them by third parties, each of whom had their own clear motives for doing so.

He added that, in publicly naming him in connection with the allegation, the Conservative Whips Office “acted disgracefully and in breach of natural justice” by removing his anonymity. 

“Their actions meant my name was dragged through the mud and my good reputation immeasurably damaged,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Chief Whip Simon Hart said Knight would not have the whip restored “following further complaints made to the whips’ office”.

“These complaints, if appropriate, will be referred to the relevant police force, or appropriate bodies,” they said.

Knight remains listed as the Chair of the DCMS Select Committee on its website, although Conservative MP Damian Green has been Acting Chair of the committee since January.