Tory MP quizzed over sex assault claim

It is understood that 46-year-old Andrew Bridgen was arrested in relation to allegations of assaulting a 29-year-old woman in central London in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Mr Bridgen is a married father-of-two who entered parliament at last year's General Election, winning the former Labour seat of North West Leicestershire with a majority of 7,511.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a 29-year-old woman at an address in SW1 in the early hours of this morning. He has been bailed to return on a date in mid-July."

A spokesman indicated that the address in SW1 - the London postcode which includes Westminster - was not the Houses of Parliament.

A Conservative spokesman declined to confirm whether the MP involved was a member of the party, saying only: "It is a matter for the police and it would be inappropriate to comment further until the facts are clear."

Mr Bridgen and wife Jacqueline were married in 2000 and have two sons, Alexander and Benjamin.

After training as an officer in the Royal Marines, Mr Bridgen worked for his family's gardening business and set up vegetable firm AB Produce with his brother in 1988.