Crispin Blunt: Government distances itself from MP over his comments following jury conviction of Imran Ahmad Khan
The ex-minister has been heavily criticised after describing the conviction of a fellow MP for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy as a "dreadful miscarriage of justice".
Tuesday 12 April 2022 10:17, UK
The government has distanced itself from comments made by Tory MP Crispin Blunt questioning the conviction of his parliamentary colleague Imran Ahmad Khan.
Khan, MP for Wakefield, was found guilty on Monday of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008 and was thrown out of the Conservative Party following the verdict.
Mr Blunt described the conviction as a "dreadful miscarriage of justice" and "nothing short of an international scandal" - but on Tuesday morning his tweet on the case and statement on his website had been deleted amid a growing backlash over the comments.
He later retracted his statement questioning the conviction.
James Heappey, the armed forces minister, told Sky News that the comments were "not something the government associates itself with" while Labour MP Chris Bryant called for Mr Blunt to have the Tory whip withdrawn.
Mr Heappey said: "Every one of us who believes in the judicial system and the rule of law has to respect that judgement.
"It's for Crispin to account for his words."
Asked whether Mr Blunt would have the whip removed, Mr Heappey said that was "for people to look at today as they speak to Crispin, find out what this is all about".
He added: "Absolutely nobody in Her Majesty's government is seeking to be critical of the decision of the court.
"If Mr Khan chooses to appeal, that is for him but a court of law has found him guilty and that is what the government believes him to be therefore."
A Conservative Party source described the views expressed by Mr Blunt - a former justice minister - as "wholly unacceptable" adding: "Following exchanges last night we expect the statement to be retracted first thing this morning."
Mr Bryant told Sky News: "It is completely inappropriate for a member of parliament to start attacking the judicial process like this."
He also said Mr Blunt should resign from his role as chair of the all party parliamentary group on global LGBT+ rights. Some members of the group have already said they would quit in protest.
Mr Bryant drew parallels with the case of Charlie Elphicke - the former Tory MP jailed in 2020 for sexual assault - which he said had seen a series of Conservative colleagues "weigh in on his behalf".
Labour's Thangam Debbonaire, shadow leader of the Commons, criticised Mr Blunt over the effect his comments might have on rape and sexual assault victims thinking of coming forward and giving evidence in court.
She told Sky News: "I want Mr Blunt to apologise, to do more than just delete the tweet. He needs to actively withdraw it.
"I think the Conservative Party should be distancing themselves from him very, very fast if he doesn't also make amends for the damage that he's doing to rape and sexual assault victims everywhere."
Khan's conviction means a by-election in the marginal red wall seat of Wakefield is now highly likely.
If the convicted sex offender is sentenced to more than a year in prison, he will automatically be disqualified from being an MP and lose his seat.
A shorter custodial term will lead to a recall petition where voters can choose to kick him out.