Former Labour MP, Ivor Caplin, who represented Hove from 1997 to 2005, was arrested on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Brighton following a sting operation conducted by the activist group, Stop Stings.
The group alleges that Caplin, aged 66, believed he was arranging to meet a 15-year-old boy, a setup orchestrated by the group posing as the underage individual.
Footage of the encounter was live-streamed on Facebook, showing Caplin at Hove train station, where he was confronted by members of Stop Stings.
In the video, Caplin denies any wrongdoing, repeatedly stating, “I haven’t done anything.” The confrontation attracted significant online attention, with the livestream garnering over 36,000 views and 3,000 comments.
Sussex Police confirmed the arrest, stating: “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 Sunday, January 12, and currently remains in custody. This is an ongoing and active investigation.”
In June 2024, Caplin was suspended from the Labour Party. He previously served as a parliamentary under-secretary.
The arrest has prompted reactions from various public figures. Notably, entrepreneur Elon Musk commented on the incident, reportedly stating, “What a creep.”
As the investigation continues, Sussex Police have conducted searches at Caplin’s residence in Hove. The authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation and to allow the legal process to proceed.
