MP insists sex charge ‘provably false’ after his arrest

The backbencher, who was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of the offence, said he was angry that a “mischievous” complaint had been made against him.

In a statement, he said: “The allegations made against me are wholly false and without foundation. Fortunately, they are also demonstrably and provably false.

“I have been happy to co-operate fully with the police and I am completely confident that, after proper investigation, I will be fully exonerated.

“This has caused real hurt and distress to my friends and family, and must be a concern to my constituents.

“I am naturally angry that I have been targeted in this mischievous and damaging way, and I will be taking advice about this. But I would like to thank my constituents and colleagues for the many messages of support that I have received.”

The North West Leicestershire MP, a married father of two, entered Parliament after last year’s general election.

Scotland Yard said in a statement yesterday that a 46-year-old man had been arrested “on suspicion of sexual assault against a 29-year-old woman at an address in SW1” and added: “He has been bailed to return on a date in mid-July.”

It is understood that the address in SW1 – the London postcode which includes Westminster – was not the Houses of Parliament.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the complaint was made by a female researcher for another Tory MP shortly after she left Mr Bridgen’s London flat at about 1am yesterday.

A Conservative spokesman said: “At the moment, this is a matter for the police, who are investigating, and it would be inappropriate to comment further until the facts are clear.”

Mr Bridgen and wife Jacqueline were married in 2000.

After training as an officer in the Royal Marines, he worked for his family’s gardening business and set up vegetable firm AB Produce with his brother in 1988. He is a member of the Regulatory Reform Select Committee.