Former UK Defence Minister Detained in Child Exploitation Investigation
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of Ivor Caplin, a former Labour MP and Under-Secretary of State for Defence, following allegations of attempting to engage with a minor. The incident took place after Caplin was confronted by members of a vigilante group known as Stop Stings, who accused him of attempting to meet a 15-year-old boy.
On January 11, clips circulated on social media showing a man resembling Caplin at a railway station, where he was approached by the activists. The group claims to have conducted extensive prior research and interacted with Caplin over several months through messaging platforms, ultimately arranging a meeting under the guise of being an underage individual.
Dean Rowland, the leader of Stop Stings, stated that all gathered evidence has been submitted to law enforcement, expressing hope for appropriate legal action. During the confrontation, Caplin reportedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he was not intending to meet any children.
Sussex Police later confirmed the arrest of a 66-year-old man, who remains in custody as part of an ongoing investigation. Caplin, who served as the MP for Hove from 1997 until 2005, has faced scrutiny in the past, having been suspended from the Labour Party in June 2024 due to unspecified serious allegations.
In the lead-up to his arrest, Caplin had expressed strong disapproval of remarks made by billionaire Elon Musk regarding UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and MP Jess Phillips. Musk had criticized Starmer for his record on prosecuting child grooming gangs and labeled Phillips a "rape genocide apologist" for her stance on inquiries into historical child abuse. Caplin condemned Musk's comments as unfounded and unacceptable.
In response to the news of Caplin's arrest, Musk took to social media to express his disdain, labeling Caplin as "a creep." This incident raises significant concerns about the safeguarding of children and the responsibility of public figures regarding their conduct.
The investigation into Caplin's alleged actions is ongoing, as authorities work to ascertain the full extent of the situation. The Stop Stings group has drawn attention to issues of child exploitation and the importance of community vigilance against such crimes.
