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Tory MP accused of 'sexual touching' in Commons bar denies wrongdoing

2 min read

A Conservative MP accused of "sexual touching" in a House of Commons bar has denied the allegations.


Officers were called to the Strangers Bar on Tuesday night after complaints were made about Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson's behaviour.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called to a bar within the Palace of Westminster following a report of sexual touching.

"Officers attended and spoke to the parties involved - three men in their 20s and 30s. However, no formal allegations were made to the officers and no arrests were made."

On Thursday, deputy Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said: "Inquiries are ongoing, however I know enough to say that the alleged behaviour is completely unacceptable and falls well below the standard I think any of us would expect of any elected representative. We may have more to say at a later time."

But in a statement posted on his Twitter page, Mr Thomson - who was elected in 2017 - insisted he had done nothing wrong, although he also referred himself to his party's disciplinary panel to allow them to investigate.

He said: "A series of serious allegations have been made against me that have featured in the media. I would like to state that these allegations from anonymous sources are completely false.

"No complaint has been made to the police, Parliament or the Conservative Party. Nevertheless in the interests of openness and transparency I am referring myself to the Conservative Party's disciplinary panel of the code of conduct. 

"This has been a deeply distressing time for me and my family but I intend to be back at work on Monday."

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