TW : mention of rape
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It was revealed on Thursday 26 October that MP Crispin Blunt had been arrested on Wednesday 25 October on ‘suspicion of rape and the possession of controlled substances.’
The revelation was made by Blunt himself who released a statement in which he explained that he had been ‘interviewed twice’ and that the first interview took place after he ‘initially reported (his) concern over extortion.’
According to him, the arrest of 25 October was ‘unnecessary’. He also stated that he would be cooperating ‘fully’ with the police.
Prior to his arrest Blunt wasn’t one of the loudest voices in the conservative party. So who is he?
What is Crispin Blunt accused of?
Crispin Blunt was arrested on 25 October. He was released on bail. The MP and former justice minister is accused of ‘rape’ and of ‘possession of controlled substances’. So far, the investigation is ongoing and tests are being run in order to determine whether or not the ‘controlled substances’ are in fact drugs.
It is reported that Blunt had himself gotten in touch with the police a few weeks ago over the same incident.
His arrest comes not long after another Conservative MP was suspended from Parliament. Peter Bone was dropped by the Conservative Party after it was found that he ‘had harassed and bullied a staff member and exposed his genitals near their face.’ Blunt has also lost the whip and will be standing as an independent MP.
Crispin Blunt’s surprising political views
Looking into his political career is something that comes with lots of surprises. Blunt started in the 1990s as a regular Conservative. He became a Member of Parliament in 1997 for Reigate, Surrey, where he still is today.
His career has been filled with many surprising twists and turns. For instance, in 2023, it would be fair to say that Blunt doesn’t fall in line with Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
In 2020, Blunt expressed his support for the transgender community after Liz Truss (at the time minister for women and equalities) decided to stop with her plans to ‘de-medicalise the process of individuals legally changing gender identity.’ To that, Blunt responded with a call for Truss to be removed from her position. In an interview he said:
Trans rights are human rights. Every society should aspire to have universal human rights.
More than that, in October 2023, Blunt became a vehement critic of UK politics when it came to the Israel and Palestine conflict. As co-director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, Blunt has warned that he would prosecute government officials over their support of Israel.
Crispin Blunt’s personal life
Blunt’s personal life is sure to have influenced his political view. Indeed, in 2010, Crispin Blunt announced that he was leaving his wife, Victoria Jenkins, so that he could ‘come to terms with his homosexuality.’ The couple married in 1990 and have two children together. While they are separated, they have yet to divorce.
His coming to terms with his sexuality could explain why Blunt is known to be a defender of LGBTQIA+ rights. Since he came out, he has been a prominent voice against laws that could impact the lives of gay people. A famous example of this took place in 2016 when he said in Parliament that he used poppers.
He said:
there are some times, Madam Deputy Speaker, when something is proposed which becomes personal to you and you realise that the government is about to do something fantastically stupid and I think in those circumstances one has a duty to speak up
I use poppers. I out myself as a poppers user. And would be directly affected by this legislation. And I was astonished to find that it’s proposed they be banned and, frankly, so were very many gay men.
The Guardian explained that poppers are ‘especially popular among gay men, and used to prepare for sex and enhance sexual pleasure.’
Blunt has denied all the claims made against him and has announced that he would not be commenting on the investigation as it continues to happen.
Read more:
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⋙ Matt Hancock: The former health secretary addresses breaking lockdown rules for 'love' on Celebs SAS
⋙ Rishi Sunak and Nadine Dorries: Here's when their famous feud first started
Sources:
BBC News: MP Crispin Blunt arrested on suspicion of rape
The Guardian: Tory MP Crispin Blunt arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of drugs
The House: After His Furious Public Spat With Liz Truss Over Trans Rights, Crispin Blunt Says He Will Not Let The Issue Go
The Guardian: Tory MP Crispin Blunt: 'I out myself as poppers user'
