LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Calls for suspension of a lawmaker, who was accused of raping a young House of Commons (lower house of British Parliament) researcher, continued to grow in Britain, local media reported Monday.
The name of the accused senior Conservative politician in his 50s is being kept secret while London's Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into the allegations.
The alleged victim, who is in her 20s and worked as a parliamentary aide, made a formal complaint to police of rape and sexual assault at the end of last week.
The lawmaker was taken into custody at a London police station on Saturday morning. He was accused of coercing the woman into having sex with him while they were in a relationship, and was later released on police bail until later this month.
The ruling Conservative Party said it will not suspend the lawmaker while investigations are ongoing.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Nadhim Zahawi, also Minister for Business and Industry, told the BBC Monday that Conservative Party's Chief Whip Mark Spencer will be waiting until the police have concluded their investigation to act.
There were also calls on social media sites for the politician to be publicly named as well as suspended.
The victim, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, told The Times newspaper Monday she was devastated that her alleged attacker was not suspended from the Conservative Party.
The main opposition Labour Party said that it sent a terrible message that senior figures were able to secure protection through their Westminster status. Enditem
