A royal protection officer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and stalking.
The Metropolitan Police inspector was arrested on August 22 by Sussex Police and has been placed on restricted duties while the claims are investigated.
Scotland Yard said the allegations have no relation to the officer’s role.
The force said: “We can confirm a serving Metropolitan Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of rape and stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
“The inspector, who is attached to the royalty and specialist protection command, was arrested on August 22 by Sussex Police, who are leading the investigation.
“The allegations do not relate to the officer’s role as a royalty and specialist protection command officer.
“The officer has been placed on restricted duties.”
The Metropolitan Police made a mandatory referral to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which decided the force’s internal standards department should carry out its own investigation into the claims.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Sussex Police attended a residential property in mid-Sussex on August 22 and arrested a man on suspicion of the rape of a woman and stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
“The 47-year-old man was released on police bail until September 19 while inquiries are ongoing.
“The two people are known to each other.”