VIDEO: 'To be falsely accused is an awful thing' MP Mark Pritchard speaks out as rape probe dropped
Midland MP Mark Pritchard today called for the law on anonymity for people accused of sex offences to be "reviewed" and said he had been through a "testing time" after it emerged he will face no further action over a rape allegation.
In a statement outside Westminster, Mr Pritchard, 48, said: "To be falsely accused of anything is an awful thing.
"Of course (my accuser) remains anonymous.
"The law on anonymity does need to be reviewed and fairness does need to play a far greater role in these cases."
The Wrekin MP was initially arrested after voluntarily attending a London police station on December 2.
He was released on bail to return today, where he was informed he would face no further action.
A police spokesman said: "A 48-year-old man voluntarily attended a north London police station on Tuesday, December 2 where he was arrested, following an allegation of rape in central London.
"He returned on bail on January 6 where he was informed he will face no further action as there was insufficient evidence."
Mr Pritchard, who entered the Commons in 2005 after a career in marketing, has been a prominent figure on the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party.
He served as secretary of the powerful Tory 1922 committee for two years until 2012, and is a member of Parliament's joint national security strategy committee.
Before his arrest, Mr Pritchard was in the House taking part in a debate on the peace process in Colombia.
Last September, Mr Pritchard disclosed that he had been targeted by a journalist as part of the sting that led to Tory minister Brooks Newmark resigning over explicit selfies.
He has apparently withdrawn a complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) after agreeing a confidential settlement.
Mr Pritchard divorced his wife of 15 years, Sondra, in 2013.
