Andrew Rosindell has returned to Parliament for the first time in almost two years, following a lengthy suspension while he was investigated over alleged historic sex offences.
The Romford MP wrote online that he was "so pleased" to be back in the House of Commons, describing his return as "an important day in Westminster for me".
Mr Rosindell named himself last week as the Conservative MP who had been arrested in May 2022 on suspicion of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault, misconduct in a public office and abuse of a position of trust.
The Met Police told Mr Rosindell last week that he faced no further action, prompting him to issue a statement announcing the decision and stating that he had been "completely exonerated".
The force confirmed to the Recorder that it did not refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service after detectives concluded there was insufficient evidence.
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor last week told the Romford Recorder that Mr Rosindell had been subjected to a "constitutional monstrosity", unable to represent his constituents in the House of Commons for the whole time he was on police bail (May 2022 to February 2024).
He had been away for so long that he missed the coronation of King Charles III and had not been able to attend to swear his allegiance to the new monarch.
He did that today (Monday, February 19), shortly after 2.30pm.
Mr Rosindell swore the oath after newly-elected Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen, who won last week's by elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough.
"I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God," said Mr Rosindell, as Conservative MPs including Mark Francois, Lee Anderson and Grant Shapps looked on.
He then shook the hand of the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
So pleased to spend time this morning with Mr. Speaker @CommonsSpeaker in Speaker’s House @HouseofCommons as my first meeting on an important day in Westminster for me, as I continue to represent the good people of Romford as their MP in @UKParliament #Romford #Essex 🇬🇧🏴 pic.twitter.com/TjZBz25Dnl
— Andrew Rosindell MP 🇬🇧🏴 (@AndrewRosindell) February 19, 2024
Mr Rosindell had earlier posed for a photograph with Mr Hoyle, which he published on Twitter, saying he would "continue to represent the good people of Romford as their MP".
Mr Rosindell's office said last week: "The Metropolitan Police have conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that there was no case to answer and that no further action would be taken.
"Andrew has been completely exonerated. He has been working constantly for Romford throughout the past twenty-one months and will continue to speak up for the people of his beloved home town as their local MP."
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