Ex-Labour MP Ivor Caplin Arrested in Shocking Child Sting at Hove Station
Viral Facebook Sting Brings Former MP Down
Ex-Labour MP Ivor Caplin, 66, was snared by the activist group Stop Stings in a dramatic showdown at Hove train station yesterday. The group claims Caplin arranged to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old after online chats.
The explosive encounter was live-streamed on Facebook, racking up over 36,000 views and 3,000 comments in no time. Wearing a red Adidas cap, navy trench coat, and ripped jeans, Caplin denied any wrongdoing in the 30-minute face-off, repeatedly stating: “I haven’t done anything.”
Sussex Police swooped on the scene, arresting Caplin on suspicion of online sexual communication with a minor. Officers later searched his £350,000 Hove flat as part of their active investigation. No charges have yet been filed.
Controversial Past Comes Back to Haunt Caplin
Caplin served as Labour MP for Hove from 1997 to 2005 and was a parliamentary under-secretary at the Ministry of Defence under Tony Blair. But his political career has been rocky — he was suspended from the Labour Party in June 2024 over undisclosed serious allegations, which he denies. He is currently unaffiliated with any party.
“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,” Sussex Police said. “Officers can confirm a local 66-year-old man was arrested on January 11 and remains in custody. This is an ongoing and active investigation.”
Multiple Sussex Stings Spark Alarm
Caplin’s arrest is one of several recent stings across Sussex. Over the last two weeks, police have made multiple arrests following similar operations in Chichester, Hastings, and Brighton’s Whitehawk area. Different activist groups used online decoys posing as minors to catch alleged offenders in the act.
As the scandal unfolds, Sussex Police continue to probe these cases, with community safety and child protection front of mind.
