Tory MP arrested on 'allegation of rape': What you need to know

What has been reported?

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard has been arrested and released on bail following an allegation of rape.

Mr Pritchard is said to have voluntarily submitted himself to Holborn police station in North London.

What do we know?

In a letter submitted to the speaker of the House of Commons, the existence of which is reported in yesterday's official Parliamentary records, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of Mr Pritchard.

A statement from Scotland Yard said: “We can confirm that a 48-year-old man voluntarily attended a north London police station on Tuesday, 2 December where he was arrested, following an allegation of rape in central London." He has now been released on bail.

What did the letter say?

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by the Independent, Met police officer Sandra Looby told Mr Bercow: "I write to inform you that on 2nd December 2014, Mark Pritchard MP was arrested at 6.14pm at Holborn Police Station in London by MPS officers.

What happens next?

The letter to Mr Bercow said: “Mr Pritchard was questioned by police and released on bail later the same evening at 10.16pm. The matter is subject to further investigation and is sub judice at the present time."

Who is Mark Pritchard?

As Nigel Morris, the Independent's deputy political editor explains, Mr Pritchard has been the MP for The Wrekin since 2005 and won the Shropshire seat with a 9,450 majority over Labour at the last election. Mr Pritchard, a former secretary of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories, has repeatedly denied speculation that he could defect to Ukip.