TORY inaction over rape allegations against a senior MP sends a message that “with power comes immunity,” women’s rights groups have warned. 

Reports emerged yesterday that Chief Whip Mark Spencer was told about claims of sexual violence against a former Conservative minister four months ago. But according to the Times, the Cabinet minister failed to take action. 

Mr Spencer yesterday defended his decision not to suspend the Tory MP, insisting that disclosing information which could identify the victim must be avoided. 

The allegations came to light over the weekend after a man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday in connection with the rape of a parliamentary worker. 

The Metropolitan Police said the allegations related to four separate incidents claimed to have taken place between July 2019 and January 2020.

It follows a series of inquiries into bullying and harassment in the House of Commons which identified a culture of abusive behaviour towards staff. A damning report in 2018 from Dame Laura Cox claimed this culture was “tolerated and covered up.”

Centre for Women’s Justice solicitor Kate Ellis said the allegations reflect a wider problem of abuse in the corridors of power.

She claimed that Westminster has a “well-established reputation” for “turning a blind eye to reports of sexually abusive and inappropriate behaviour by Members and senior House staff.” 

“The fact that concerns are still being raised about political parties failing to react to allegations of serious sexual violence will send a deeply harmful message to the victims – and perpetrators – of such crimes that with power comes total immunity,” she continued. 

Ms Ellis, who represented a number of women involved in the Cox inquiry, said the centre had heard from many employees in Westminster that they felt “let down” by the way their complaints of sexual misconduct have been handled. 

Rape Crisis England and Wales spokesperson Katie Russell said: “It would be standard practice for most employers to suspend an individual from work pending investigation if they were accused of committing a sexual offence against a colleague in the workplace. 

“If Westminster can’t lead by example on such a basic principle as this, it sends a worrying message about how seriously or otherwise they regard sexual violence.”

The decision not to suspend the suspect while the investigation is ongoing has also been criticised by Labour’s Jess Phillips, who said it was “shocking” and sent a “terrible message from Westminster.”