Top MP Julian Knight to stay away from Parliament after losing Tory whip over ... trends now

Senior MP Julian Knight to stay away from Parliament after losing Tory whip over police complaint - but lashes out at 'wrong and unjustified' action by party bosses and blasts 'campaign of rumour and innuendo' against him Julian Knight reveals he will stay away from Parliament after police complaint The senior MP has been suspended from the Conservative parliamentary party The Solihull MP lashes out at the 'wrong and unjustified' action by party bosses

By Greg Heffer, Political Correspondent For Mailonline

Published: 11:03 GMT, 8 December 2022 | Updated: 11:05 GMT, 8 December 2022

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Senior MP Julian Knight today revealed he will stay away from Parliament after being reported to police.

The 50-year-old was last night dramatically suspended from the Tory parliamentary party after a complaint was made to Scotland Yard.

But - although he said he would 'recuse' himself from Parliament 'until the matter is resolved' - the Solihull MP lashed out at party bosses for their 'wrong and unjustified' action.

In a series of Twitter posts, Mr Knight revealed he had 'heard nothing' from the police, the whips' office or parliamentary officials, or been the subject of any investigation.

He also claimed he had never been 'warned or spoken to' by Tory whips about any allegations of misconduct.

The former journalist blasted a 'campaign of rumour and innuendo' against him and fumed at 'blackmail' threats.

Mr Knight is chair of the House of Commons' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

He did not show up this morning when the committee quizzed bosses of the Arts Council England, with Labour MP Julie Elliott deputising for him during the session.

Julian Knight has been dramatically suspended from the Tory parliamentary party after a complaint was