Clear our name now, Hamiltons challenge police

Former Tory MP Neil Hamilton today demanded senior police officers confirm reports that he and wife Christine are no longer suspects in the rape and sexual assault of a young mother.

A Scotland Yard source claims that mobile phone records prove the Hamiltons were nowhere near the scene of the alleged attack in Ilford on May 5.

Mr and Mrs Hamilton have strenuously denied any part in the attack on 27-year-old Nadine Milroy-Sloan, who yesterday waived her right to anonymity by giving an interview to the News Of The World.

Speaking outside his Cheshire home today, Mr Hamilton said: ‘‘I have no doubt whatsoever that the Sun is correct and I now challenge Scotland Yard to confirm it at the earliest opportunity, which would be this morning.

’’There is absolutely no excuse for the police to deny this investigation, or at least our part in it, for a moment longer. There is also no reason for them to keep hold of our property any longer, especially our computer.

’’I will be speaking to my solicitor later today about what action to take against the police and any further delay will only result in me being less lenient towards them.’’

Mr Hamilton added that the so-called ‘‘media circus’’ which surrounded the pair helped to speed up the police inquiry.

He said: ‘‘How many more months would the police have taken to clear up this allegation if we had not had this hullabaloo? It wasn’t publicity seeking for its own sake, as some cynical people have suggested.’’

Mrs Hamilton, dressed in a red and white striped top and pink trousers, said she was hopeful of an official announcement from Scotland Yard today but had given up trying to predict the actions of the police.

She said: ‘‘The police have dilly-dallied for so long anyway, so who knows how long it will take them to confirm the truth? I am hopeful it will be today but who knows?’’

The couple were accused of sexually assaulting mother-of-four Ms Milroy-Sloan in a council flat on May 5 at around 5pm.

The couple had denied the allegations, claiming receipts and phone records would prove their innocence.

Mr Hamilton confirmed his wife had called her mother.

He said: ‘‘She called her at around 5.44pm when we were on our way from our flat in Battersea to Claridges.

‘‘It was probably just after we got into the car from the flat.’’

He said the couple were relieved the truth had come out but condemned the police for not looking at their phone records sooner.

Mr Hamilton said: ‘‘We are relieved. This has been the most ghastly week that anyone could possibly imagine.’’