MP Julian Knight rejects any wrongdoing after whip removed

The MP Julian Knight has vehemently rejected any wrongdoing after the Conservative party removed the whip following a complaint about him to the Metropolitan police, saying he had been targeted by unfounded rumours, and potentially blackmail.

The MP for Solihull in the West Midlands, who chairs the Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee, lost the whip after a complaint about him was made on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Simon Hart, the chief whip, said: “Following a complaint made to the Metropolitan police this evening, we have removed the whip from Julian Knight MP with immediate effect.”

In a series of tweets on Thursday morning, Knight said he had not been given any information about what the complaint was about. “I have heard nothing from the police, the whips office, or parliament’s internal grievance service, or been the subject of any investigation by the latter. Nor have I ever been warned or spoken to by the Whips office about any allegations of misconduct,” Knight wrote.

“I believe their withdrawal of the whip is wrong and unjustified.

“I have received what my lawyers advise are explicit threats involving blackmail as well as being at the centre of a campaign of rumour and innuendo. All matters are now with my lawyers and I will be recusing myself from parliament until the matter is resolved.”

Knight, who has been an MP since 2015, did not give any further details. Neither the police nor the Conservative party have said what the complaint relates to.