Julian Knight faces new allegations of sexual harassment

Julian Knight, MP for Solihull, said he would step down in the next election. Photo: Jeff Pugh

Former Conservative MP accused of sexually harassing three women who allege he used job opportunities to inappropriately flirt with them.

Julian Knight, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, was previously stripped of his whip by the Conservatives after the Metropolitan Police. received a complaint of serious sexual assault last year.

Scotland Yard subsequently dropped its investigation of Solihull MP, who now sits as an independent, and announced that he would step down at the next election.

However, the case was referred to the Essex Police, who began their own investigation. It is not clear why this step was taken.

The Politico website reported on Monday that three women made separate allegations that Mr. Knight used his position to sexually harass them.

He is said to have invited women to discuss job opportunities before touching him in an inappropriate way or to share the innermost. details of his personal life. He is also accused of constantly texting them.

While none of the three women reported the alleged behavior at the time, two have since expressed concern to senior Tory party figures and one has shared her statements in writing with police, according to Politico.

Mr. Knight, who previously chaired the Commons committee on digital, culture, media and sports, said: «None of these claims have any basis in fact.»

«They have been repeatedly made in various media in for several years as part of an organized smear campaign against me, which is now under investigation.

«Publishing them would be wrong, misleading and slanderous.»

«Further complaints»

After Following the Met's decision to drop the investigation in March, Mr. Knight petitioned the Parliamentary Party for his «immediate return.» MP.

This decision sparked Mr. Knight's extraordinary attack on his former party colleagues as he accused the Office of Whips of conducting a «witch hunt» against him in an attempt to prevent him from «naming names.» .

The Telegraph has reached out to Mr. Knight for a comment.