Police have applied to magistrates for yet another bail extension for a Conservative MP accused of rape.

The man, who is in his 50s, was first arrested more than 15 months ago, on May 17, 2022.

The politician, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, abuse of a position of trust and misconduct in a public office.

All of the offences were alleged to have occurred in London.

The man was originally released on police bail until June 2022.

Since then his bail has been extended five times – to August, then November, then February, then May, and then August.

The Met has now told Newsquest: “An extension to his bail has now been sought at magistrates’ court. Enquiries remain ongoing.”

The investigation is being handled by officers in the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team.

The force has previously said that it was first approached in January 2020 over “alleged sexual offences”.

They are said to have occurred between 2002 and 2009.