Police investigating alleged Groucho Club assault hold man, 34, on suspicion of rape

A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual attack at the Groucho Club in central London.

- Matthew Weaver

The Metropolitan police said a 34-year-old man was arrested on Saturday evening at an address in Hertfordshire and remained in custody.

The investigation, which forced the closure of the Groucho Club last week, concerns reports that a woman was raped inside the venue in Dean Street, Soho, on 13 November. The woman was being supported by specialist officers, the Met said.

A Westminster council licensing hearing last week ruled that the licence for the Groucho Club should be suspended for up to 28 days until a full hearing can take place.

The initial hearing was held after the Met's concerns that the venue had breached licensing conditions and had been the scene of a serious crime.

The Met said that at this stage there was no suggestion that employees of the venue were involved in the rape.

The investigation into the report of a rape at the venue is being led by detectives from the Met's central west public protection team.