The independent MP Jared O’Mara has been arrested on suspicion of fraud, sources in Sheffield have said. He was arrested at the same time as his chief of staff, Gareth Arnold, the BBC reported.



Police arrested the pair a week ago and Arnold was held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud, according to the Daily Mirror.



Officers raided the MP’s constituency office, removing documents and computers for investigation on Friday last week, the newspaper reported. The two men were released on Saturday evening pending further investigation.



It has previously been claimed that O’Mara, who was formerly with Labour before becoming an independent, has submitted paperwork for his resignation as an MP for Sheffield Hallam, dated for when parliament returns in September.



In July, O’Mara said he was “taking time out for mental health treatment” and promised to resign at the end of summer recess after allegations of sexual misconduct towards staff.

Arnold quit his role in July in dramatic fashion, posting his resignation statement on O’Mara’s Twitter account, however earlier this month he claimed to be still working for the outgoing MP.



Arnold told the BBC two weeks ago that he had “extended his notice period” but admitted he had not been cleared by parliamentary authorities to work in the office, including having access to O’Mara’s official email account.



He said: “I am running a constituency office on behalf of an MP without the required security clearance from the parliamentary authorities. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

Constituents have complained that case work has not been dealt with in the MP’s absence, allegations that have been denied.

Asked for a comment, South Yorkshire police said they could neither confirm or deny the identity of someone who has been arrested.

A spokesman for Sheffield Hallam Liberal Democrats said: “We have been calling for the resignation of Jared O’Mara for a long time. With crucial votes coming up in Westminster, the people of Sheffield Hallam need an MP they can count on to fight Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans and to stand up for local communities.”

O’Mara has been approached for a comment.