A senior Conservative MP, Crispin Blunt, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of drugs.

Blunt made a statement after Surrey police said a man in his 60s had been arrested on Wednesday and later released on bail.

The MP for Reigate, a former justice minister and ex-chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said he was confident the investigation would end without charge.

He said he had previously reported an allegation of extortion to police in relation to the same incident, and had spoken to officers several weeks ago.