Theresa May’s Conservatives suspend lawmaker Charlie Elphicke over ‘serious allegations’
May set out the code of conduct for her party on Friday detailing standards and procedures expected of elected and appointed party members
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party has suspended a lawmaker over what it said were serious allegations, a step that could undermine the authority of her minority government as Britain seeks to iron out a Brexit deal with the European Union.
May’s Conservative Party refused to give any detail about the nature of the allegations against Charlie Elphicke, a Conservative lawmaker for Dover in southern England, but said it had referred the matter to the police. Elphicke, formerly a tax lawyer who was first elected in 2010, denied any wrongdoing.
“The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension,” he said on Twitter. “I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.”
May’s office did not respond to calls about the allegations, whose nature was unclear. Email enquiries went unanswered. The Conservatives declined to comment.
May’s Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party are grappling with a slew of sexual harassment and abuse claims – many of them unsubstantiated – against British politicians.
The allegations have surfaced since the sexual abuse claims against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted women and men in British politics to share stories about alleged improper behaviour.
I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing