Wakefield MP Khan was found guilty Monday of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008 and expelled from the Conservative Party after being sentenced. Mr Blunt described the conviction as a “terrible judicial injustice” and “nothing less than an international scandal” – but on Tuesday morning his tweet about the case and his statement on his website were deleted amid growing reactions to the comments. . Image: Khan plans to appeal the verdict Armed Forces Secretary James Hippie told Sky News that the comments “are not something the government has to do with it”, while Labor MP Chris Bryant called on Mr Blunt to remove the Tories whip. Mr Heappey said: “Every one of us who believes in the judiciary and the rule of law must respect this judgment. “Crispin must be held accountable for his words.” Asked if Mr Blunt would remove the whip, Mr Heappey said it was “for people today to look at as they talk to Crispin, to find out what it’s all about”. He added: “Absolutely no one in the government of His Majesty seeks to criticize the court’s decision. “If Mr Kahn chooses to appeal, that is for him, but a court has found him guilty and so the government believes he is.” Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:20 MP expelled from the Conservative Party A Conservative source described the views expressed by Mr Blunt, a former Justice Minister, as “completely unacceptable”, adding: “After the exchanges last night, we expect the statement to be withdrawn first thing this morning.” Mr Bryant told Sky News: “It is completely inappropriate for a Member of Parliament to start attacking the judiciary in this way.” He also said that Mr Blunt should step down as chairman of the All-Party LGBT + parliamentary group. Some members of the group have already said they will resign in protest. Mr Bryant drew parallels with the case of Charlie Elfike – a former Tory MP who was jailed in 2020 for sexual assault – who he said had seen a number of conservative colleagues “charge him”. Labor’s Thangam Debbonaire, a shadow Commons leader, has criticized Mr Blunt for the impact his comments may have on rape and sexual assault victims who are considering appearing in court. He told Sky News: “I want Mr Blunt to apologize, to do more than delete the tweet. He must actively withdraw it. “I believe the Conservative Party should distance itself from him very, very quickly, if it also does not repair the damage it does to victims of rape and sexual assault everywhere.” Khan’s conviction means that a by-election in the marginal red seat on the Wakefield wall is now very likely. If the convicted sex offender is sentenced to more than one year in prison, he will be automatically expelled from the MP and will lose his seat. A shorter term of imprisonment will lead to a revocation request where voters can choose to oust him.
