The government has distanced itself from comments made by Tory MP Crispin Blunt questioning the conviction of his parliamentary colleague Imran Ahmad Khan.
Khan, MP for Wakefield, was found guilty on Monday of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008 and was thrown out of the Conservative Party following the verdict.
Mr Blunt described the conviction as a “dreadful miscarriage of justice” and “nothing short of an international scandal” – but on Tuesday morning his tweet on the case and statement on his website had been deleted.
Khan plans to appeal the verdict
James Heappey, the armed forces minister, told Sky News that the comments were “not something the government associates itself with” while Labour MP Chris Bryant called for Mr Blunt to have the Tory whip withdrawn.
Mr Heappey said: “Every one of us who believes in the judicial system and the rule of law has to respect that judgement.
“It’s for Crispin to account for his words.”
Asked whether Mr Blunt would have the whip removed, Mr Heappey said that was “for people to look at today as they speak to Crispin, find out what this is all about”.
He added: “Absolutely nobody in Her Majesty’s government is seeking to be critical of the decision of the court.
“If Mr Khan chooses to appeal, that is for him but a court of law has found him guilty and that is what the government believes him to be therefore.”
A Conservative Party source has described Mr Blunt’s views as “wholly unacceptable” adding: “Following exchanges last night we expect the statement to be retracted first thing this morning.”
Mr Bryant told Sky News: “It is completely inappropriate for a member of parliament to start attacking the judicial process like this.”