Tory minister refuses to confirm whether chief whip knew of rape claims against MP

Former aide claims she told Mark Spencer extent of allegations months before MP was arrested

A minister has refused to confirm whether the government's chief whip was told about claims against a Conservative MP by his alleged victim four months before he was arrested on suspicion of rape.

It is understood that the woman in her 20s, a former parliamentary staffer, spoke to the chief whip, Mark Spencer, in April. Last week, the woman told the Times that Spencer had taken no action.