Cameron ‘shocked’ by aide’s arrest in child images inquiry

British prime minister David Cameron has said he is “profoundly shocked” by allegations against a senior Downing Street aide involving child abuse images.

Number 10 has disclosed that Patrick Rock resigned last month after officials were made aware of a potential offence.

He was subsequently arrested and is now under investigation by the National Crime Agency.

Mr Rock has also been the subject of a complaint of alleged “inappropriate behaviour”, Downing Street has said.

“Obviously when I heard these allegations I was profoundly shocked and remain profoundly shocked today,” Mr Cameron said during a visit to the Midlands yesterday.

“I have to be careful about what I say about this issue because a criminal investigation is under way.”

He told reporters: “He did play an important role at Downing Street and he’s resigned that position.”

A government spokesman confirmed that prior to his arrest and resignation, Mr Rock had been involved in drawing up Government policy on internet porn filters.

“He was one of a number of people working on this issue,” the spokesman said.

He declined to comment on reports that Mr Rock had been in line for a possible peerage.

Defending the delay in releasing the information, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t think it would be right to preemptively brief out a criminal investigation and that’s why we did not do that.

“But as soon as questions were asked, as questions would inevitably be asked, we have given very full and straightforward answers.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said the complaint against Mr Rock had been dealt with “very seriously’ in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s human resources policy but declined to give further details.

He would not say whether there was any link to the complaint of inappropriate behaviour or when or where the alleged behaviour took place.

“I can confirm that a complaint around alleged inappropriate behaviour was raised. The matter was dealt with very seriously at senior levels in full accordance with the Cabinet Office’s human resources policy,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman confirmed that Number 10 was first made aware of the alleged offence regarding child abuse imagery on the evening of February 12.

The matter was immediately referred to the National Crime Agency and Mr Rock resigned his position as deputy head of the policy unit. In the early hours of the morning of February 13 he was arrested at his home in London.

Mr Rock, 62, has been close to Mr Cameron for many years — the two men worked together as advisers to Michael Howard when he was home secretary in the 1990s.