Former Labour MP Ivor Caplin, who served as Hove’s representative from 1997 to 2005, has been arrested in Brighton following a sting operation by citizen paedophile hunters, the Sun reported.
Footage shared online shows a man, believed to be Caplin, being handcuffed by police on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communications with a child.
The 66-year-old was allegedly attempting to arrange a meeting with a 15-year-old boy when he was detained. In the video, officers appear to take a wallet from the man, dressed in a red baseball cap and a long grey overcoat, before placing it into an evidence bag.
Sussex Police confirmed the arrest, saying: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing a man in Brighton being detained on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communications with a child. Officers can confirm that a local 66-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, January 11, and currently remains in custody. This is an ongoing and active investigation.”
Caplin, who was suspended from the Labour Party months ago over “serious allegations” that he denies, was recently in the headlines for criticising Elon Musk.
During a television appearance last week, Caplin condemned Musk’s tweets about Labour leader Keir Starmer and MP Jess Phillips, calling them “completely and utterly unfound.” He added: “The abuse he has tried to bring on Keir Starmer is completely unacceptable.”
In response to Caplin’s arrest, Musk posted on X saying, “What a creep.”
