MP will not face assault charges

Andrew Pelling was arrested last week

A south London MP arrested by police after he was accused of assaulting his pregnant wife will not face charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to bring a case against Andrew Pelling, Conservative MP for Croydon Central.

Mr Pelling, 48, was arrested at his Croydon home last month when his wife Lucy, 26, alleged he had assaulted her.

Mr Pelling's membership of the Conservative Party was suspended after his arrest.

The Conservative Party said Chief Whip Patrick McLoughlin would decide whether to lift Mr Pelling's suspension from the party after returning to Westminster on Monday.

Mr Pelling won his Parliamentary seat in 2005 with a majority of 75. He is also a London Assembly member.

The father-of-three married Lucy last year after his divorce from his first wife.

A thorough investigation was carried out by the community safety unit at Croydon Metropolitan Police spokesman

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "A 48-year-old man from Croydon who was arrested on 18 September in connection with allegations of assault has been released from police bail with no further action.

"A thorough investigation was carried out by the community safety unit at Croydon.

"A report was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, as is routine, and the CPS has taken the decision not to press charges."