Former Tory MP suspended over sexual harassment allegations to run as independent

A former Tory MP has announced he will stand against the party in the general election – causing new trouble for Rishi Sunak.

Julian Knight, who was suspended following a police investigation into allegations of sexual assault, said he would run as an independent.

In a social media post, he said he made the decision after discussions with local Tory MPs in his Solihull constituency.

“After discussions with my family, Conservative members and voters, I have decided to stand as an Independent in the upcoming election,” he wrote.

“After I was expelled from the party on the basis of a completely false accusation and the police are now investigating me for perverting the course of justice, it is important to take a stand.

“People should not lose their jobs because of false accusations.”

Essex Police announced in March that they would not take action against him after investigating the allegations, but he stopped short of calling for the Tory leader’s return.

Mr Knight announced in April 2023 that he intended to leave Parliament altogether after being accused of “malicious” sexual assault.

However, he said he changed his mind after the Conservative campaign headquarters “sowed in a whip-appointed candidate who does not understand the issues”.

He also lashed out at the Prime Minister, saying he had “proven himself to be a disastrous campaigner” and declared that “the election is over” for the Tories.

“In a Labour-dominated Parliament, an independent would be best suited to Solihull,” he added.

In December 2022, Mr Knight was stripped of his Tory parliamentary seat when it was revealed that the Metropolitan Police were investigating him.

Scotland Yard closed its investigation in March 2023, but passed the allegation on to Essex police for reasons never clarified.

In March, Knight said he would not seek to return as Conservative leader “under any circumstances” and accused the party of conducting a “witch hunt” against him.

His decision to stand in Solihull will damage the Tories’ chances of retaining the seat, which the party won by a majority of 21,000 votes in the 2019 election.

The suburban constituency will be split following the boundary review and most of it will be incorporated into a new constituency called Solihull West and Shirley.

Labour is targeting the seat after its candidate Richard Parker won the West Midlands mayoral election earlier this month.