Tory chiefs to decide fate of MP cleared of wife-beating

Conservative bosses will tomorrow decide whether to take back an MP who was investigated over allegations of assaulting his wife after police confirmed he will not face charges. Andrew Pelling, the MP for Croydon Central, was told on Friday that no prosecution will be brought in connection with the complaints of his pregnant wife, Lucy.

The 26-year-old alleged her husband assaulted her, leading to his arrest at their home in Croydon, south London, on 18 September.

Mr Pelling, 48, a former councillor who entered Parliament in 2005, was questioned by police and released on bail. He was suspended from the Conservative Party after his arrest.

Mr Pelling married Lucy, who had worked on his campaign team for the 2005 election, last year after his divorce from his first wife. Mrs Pelling has reportedly declared that their marriage is now over and that she has left the family home.

Croydon Central is a highly marginal seat that Mr Pelling, also a member of the Greater London Assembly, won with a majority of 75 votes.