UK

Man arrested at Lib Dem conference released with no action, police say

A Sussex Police spokesman said inquiries had been completed including reviewing CCTV footage and witness accounts and they had decided to release him.

The Grand Hotel in Brighton
The Grand Hotel in Brighton (Clive Gee/PA)

A man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at the Liberal Democrat party conference has been released with no further action to be taken, police said.

Sussex Police had confirmed that a 57-year-old man from Bristol had been arrested after a report of touching a woman at The Grand Hotel in Brighton at around midnight on Tuesday.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson had said they were assisting police and had suspended him from the party.

On Wednesday, a Sussex Police spokesman said inquiries had been completed including reviewing CCTV footage and witness accounts.

The force added that it engaged with the complainant and interviewed the man under caution, before deciding to release him with no further action.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

Inspector Dan Eagle said: “Sussex Police are committed to tackling reports of sexual assaults and violence against women and girls.

“Officers took robust action in investigating this incident. It has been concluded, pending any further information coming to light.”

A Lib Dem spokesman said: “We were horrified to hear of this incident and assisted the police in swiftly identifying and arresting this man.

“He remains suspended from the party and this case will now be assessed under our independent complaints process.”