Conservative chief whip Julian Smith says matter has been referred to the police

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been suspended by the party following serious allegations which have been passed on to the police, the Tory chief whip, Julian Smith, has said.

in a brief statement released by the party on Friday evening, Smith said: “I have suspended the Conservative party whip from Charlie Elphicke MP following serious allegations that have been referred to the police.”

Elphicke tweeted to deny any wrongdoing, and to say the press had been told before him.

He said: “The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.”

Charlie Elphicke (@CharlieElphicke) The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.

The party did not give any more details about what the allegations concern, or who made a complaint. The Metropolitan police said it had no immediate comment on whether it had received a complaint about Elphicke.

Elphicke has represented Dover since 2010, and has been a backbencher apart from a brief spell as a junior whip that ended in 2016.

Elphicke, 46, a lawyer before entering parliament, is probably best-known as a staunch advocate of Brexit. He is a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group of Tory MPs, and has talked up the idea of a no-deal departure being an option.

The statement from Smith came on his first full day as chief whip, having been promoted from deputy after the former incumbent, Gavin Williamson, was made defence secretary on Thursday.

Williamson was moved after the former defence secretary, Michael Fallon, quit the post after claims he made lewd comments to Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons.

Two other Tory ministers, Damian Green, the first secretary of state and May’s deputy, and trade minister Mark Garnier face inquiries as to whether they breached the ministerial code over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, though neither has been suspended by the party.

Green vehemently denies any wrongdoing.