Leon Brittan was questioned by police over rape allegation

Leon Brittan has said he was handed the Dickens dossier but passed it on to Home Office staff (Getty Images)

Leon Brittan, who served as Home Secretary under Margaret Thatcher, has been questioned by police in connection with a rape allegation, it emerged on Sunday.

The Independent on Sunday revealed that the 74-year-old Conservative peer was interviewed under caution last month after a woman claimed she was raped in London in 1967. His spokesperson said on Sunday Lord Brittan would not be commenting, but he is understood to strongly deny the allegation.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “In late 2012, a woman alleged to the Metropolitan Police Service that she was raped by a man in 1967 at an address in London. The woman was over the age of 18 at the time of the incident.

“In June 2014, a man aged in his 70s was interviewed under caution by appointment at a central London location in connection with the allegation. He was not arrested. Inquiries continue.”

The allegation is being investigated by officers from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.