Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his children.

Police received a 999 call at midnight on Sunday and seized the Tory frontbencher from his home.

The shadow pensions minister was questioned for 13 hours before being released without charge.

While he was being questioned his wife and two teenage children were taken to another police station for medical examinations and interviews.

Neither of the teenagers had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, which arrested Mr Waterson at his home in Beckenham, Kent, said they had received an allegation of physical assault. He said there was no allegation of sexual assault.

The MP has been bailed until March while investigations are carried out by a child abuse team.

Mr Waterson told The Argus yesterday: "I have no comment to make at this stage."

He was at the House of Commons yesterday taking part in a debate on pensions. Mr Waterson has represented Eastbourne, Willingdon and East Dean since being elected in 1992.

He is a trained solicitor and serves as shadow minister for older people as well as pensions.

He was recently re-elected chairman of an all-party group for older people and is an officer of the British-Cyprus Group.

On his website, where he names his wife and children, Mr Waterson said he likes to walk on the Downs, work in the garden and support Eastbourne Borough football club.

He lists his campaign causes as saving services at Eastbourne District General Hospital, fighting for better road and rail links for Eastbourne and seeking a referendum on a European Constitution.

The arrest came as one of Mr Waterson's main local causes, the battle to keep maternity services at the hospital, achieved a triumph on Monday when the plan was referred to Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

andy.chiles @theargus.co.uk