FORMER Labor Minister Ivor Caplin was arrested today after he was filmed allegedly trying to meet a 15-year-old boy he met online.
The former Hove MP was stopped at the local train station by activist group Stop Stings who told The Sun they had arranged to meet him there posing as a “underage boy”.
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Ivor Caplin was arrested on SaturdayCredit: https://www.facebook.com/Stopukstings/videos/2009809776166499
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Caplin is handcuffed on the street Credits: Delivered
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Caplin was the Labor MP for Hove until 2005. Credit: Getty
A video of Caplin wearing a red Adidas cap, a navy blue houndstooth raincoat and ripped jeans went viral last night after it was posted on the Stop Stings Facebook page.
Group leader Dean Rowland, who traveled from Derbyshire with six other members of his team, is heard accusing Caplin of sending inappropriate messages over the internet to a person posing as a child.
It alleges that Caplin, a former defense secretary, was at Hove station believing he was going to meet the teenager.
Caplin vehemently denies that he was there to meet the child – and during the conversation he repeats: “I didn’t do anything”.
The confrontation with Caplin was streamed live on Facebook, lasted 30 minutes and attracted more than 36,000 views and 3,000 comments.
Mark, one of the leaders of Stop Sting, says to the man on the video: “Who did you come to meet Ivor?”
Caplin replies, “He is … I haven’t met him.”
Mark says: “Don’t start your slippery MP… slippery MP path with me.”
Caplin replies, “I don’t want to meet anyone.”
Further footage of his arrest was similarly shared on other online platforms.
Sussex Police said: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing a man in Brighton who has been detained on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communication with a child.
“Officers can confirm that a local 66-year-old man was arrested on Saturday 11 January and is currently in custody.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation.”
Speaking to The Sun, Dean said his group handed over their “evidence” to the police who arrested him.
He said: “We did a lot of research before this meeting took place.
“We talk to an individual for months via WhatsApp.
“All the evidence has now been handed over to the police and we hope that justice will be served.
“There are also pictures that he sent [Caplin] which have been handed over and can be used as evidence.”
SUSPENDED
In June 2024, Caplin was suspended from the Labor Party over undisclosed serious allegations, which he denies.
He previously represented Hove between 1997 and 2005.
Caplin is not currently believed to be a member of the Labor Party.
After being initially elected to Hove Borough Council, Caplin was Labor MP for Hove for eight years.
At the time he served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defense during Tony Blair’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Specialist officers from Sussex Police tonight raided Mr Caplin’s two-bedroom, £350,000 flat in Hove, East Sussex, and spent hours searching his possessions.
A resident who lives in the same block said: “A large number of police came and the policeman was very clear and gave instructions.
“Several vans and cars were here for hours.
“Then in the late afternoon more of them came and it looked like they were going to search.
“They wouldn’t say what it was, but it’s very concerning to know that he’s being investigated for it.”
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A tactical police unit searched Caplin’s apartment tonight
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Caplin with former Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie in 2001 Credit: John Connor Associates
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