Police have dropped a rape and sexual assault investigation against Tory MP Andrew Rosindell after a lengthy investigation.
Scotland Yard said it carried out a “thorough investigation” into Rosindell, the Romford MP, but concluded the evidence did not meet the criteria for a criminal prosecution.
A spokesman for Rosindell said he had been “completely exonerated”.
Rosindell has not voted or spoken in the House of Commons since April 2022. She has been asked to stay away from Parliament while the police investigation is carried out.
He was arrested in May 2022 on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of a position of trust and misconduct in public office.
The Metropolitan Police arrested Rosindell more than two years after receiving a report in January 2020 regarding alleged offenses which allegedly took place in London between 2002 and 2009.
Rosindell has always denied any wrongdoing and has never been charged.
Although he did not participate in Parliament for almost two years, he continued to carry out parliamentary work, including trips abroad.
He is now set to stand again as Conservative MP for Romford, east London, after being unanimously re-elected as a candidate by his local association last year.
A Met spokesperson said: “A thorough investigation was carried out by detectives. They concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold set by Crown prosecutors. The man has been informed that he will not be subject to any further action.
A spokesperson for Rosindell said: “The Metropolitan Police have carried out a thorough investigation and have concluded that there is no case to answer and no further action will be taken.
“Andrew has been completely exonerated. He has worked consistently for Romford over the past 21 months and will continue to champion the people of his beloved home town as their local MP.