Suspended Tory whip Charlie Elphicke says 'I don't know what I'm accused of'

Tory MP Charlie Elphicke for Dover has had the whip suspended
PA
Martin Coulter9 November 2017
WEST END FINAL

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A Conservative MP suspended over "serious allegations" has said he still does not know what he is accused of doing.

Charlie Elphicke, the former Conservative party whip and MP for Dover and Deal, says he denies any "criminal wrongdoing".

Mr Elphicke, 46, claims members of the Conservative party "tipped off the press" before informing him of his dismissal.

In a statement to the executive body of the Dover and Deal Conservative Association, he said: "I do not know what I am accused of.

"I received a call from a journalist just after 9pm on Friday evening saying he heard I was having the whip withdrawn in time for the 10 o'clock news and asked me what was going on.

"I said I had absolutely no idea. Minutes later I received a call from the Chief Whip telling me that serious allegations had been made against earlier that week and passed to the Police.

"I asked what the allegations were and he would not tell me. He only said that he and the Prime Minister had decided the whip should be suspended from me.

"Whatever it turns out I stand accused of, I deny any criminal wrongdoing."

Mr Smith echoed the sentiments of Labour MP Chris Bryant, who said it was important that a fair and proper process was in place for both accusers and those accused of wrongdoing.

His sacking comes in the wake of a series of misconduct allegations that have rocked Westminster, culminating in the resignation of former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon last week.

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