A top UK official for the Conservative party has been arrested over a historic allegation of rape.

Tory vice-chairman Alan Lewis, 75, who was appointed by David Cameron, was held by police after a woman claimed she was attacked in the late 1960s.


The self-made tycoon, who owns the Crombie clothing chain and is thought to have a fortune of between 220 and 260 million, was reportedly arrested at a Manchester hotel while on a business trip.

"A 75-year-old man was arrested following a complaint received earlier this year of an historic rape that occurred in the Manchester area in the late 60s, " a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said.

"The man was later bailed pending further inquiries. Specially-trained officers are providing support and welfare to the victim."

The British prime minister gave Lewis his current role as Tory vice-chairman responsible for business relations in 2010.

In 1990, he was made a CBE for his services as chairman of the Confederation of British Industry's initiative to prepare British businesses to the single market.

A Tory supporter since the early 1980s, he is a black belt in karate and a promoter of Christian healing who claims to read the Bible every day.