Tory MP Julian Knight says he's not been made aware of ‘fresh sexual misconduct allegations’

The Solihull MP Julian Knight has told ITV News Central he's not been made aware of any new allegations against him, after reports that four women had made complaints to parliamentary authorities about inappropriate behaviour.

He was suspended by the Conservative Party last year, after it emerged he was being investigated over an allegation of sexual assault, which the police later dropped.

Mr Knight has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The fresh complaints are thought to be about alleged inappropriate comments and behaviour, according to the BBC.

The broadcaster also claims five different women and a third party witness have raised sexual misconduct allegations about him to the police.

The complainants are separate, which means nine women are said to have made complaints about him in total.

The allegations to police and parliamentary authorities range from alleged inappropriate comments to sexual assault, according to the broadcaster.

Mr Knight said a “single” and “baseless” complaint was made about him to the Metropolitan Police last October.

The force dropped the probe last month, saying no arrests had been made, but his bid to have the whip restored was rejected over further complaints.

At the time, a spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart said the complaints would be referred to detectives “if appropriate”.

Mr Knight told the PA news agency:

“As I have repeatedly said, I am fully aware of the circumstances of the single complaint made against me to the Metropolitan Police and the motivations of those involved in making it.

“This baseless complaint was dismissed by the police without their even feeling the need to interview me, which they never did.

“I have not been made aware of any details of allegations supposedly made subsequently against me to any parliamentary authorities.

“Nor am I the subject of any investigation by Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

“Should I become the subject of any such investigation, I will fully and publicly defend myself against any allegations.

“Meanwhile it is deplorable that, despite the police decision, I remain the subject of what appears to be a smear campaign conducted through leaks, false innuendo and briefings.”

MP Julian Knight has said he will not seek to get the Tory whip back and will not stand at the next general election, after police dropped a sexual assault allegation against him.