Police confirmed they had arrested a man in his 50s, but did not confirm any further details about his identity or occupation. The man remains in custody at a police station in east London.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: ‘On Friday 31 July, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault.

‘These offences are alleged to have occurred at addresses in Westminster, Lambeth and Hackney between July 2019 and January 2020.

‘The Met has launched an investigation into the allegations.

‘A man in his 50s was arrested on Saturday 1 August on suspicion of rape and is currently in custody in an east London police station.’

A Conservative Party statement said: ‘We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously. As this matter is now in the hands of the police it would be inappropriate to comment further.’