Preparations for the Tory ­conference were thrown into disarray last night by the news one of the party’s key figures has been arrested on allegations of rape.
Crombie clothing tycoon Alan Lewis was being quizzed over claims he attacked a teenage student in the 60s.
Officers held the 75-year-old party vice chairman for business – one of David Cameron’s closest allies – hours before he was due to travel to Manchester for tomorrow’s ­conference.
His arrest sent shockwaves through Downing Street.
A Tory source said: “We are in a state of shock over this.
"It could not have come at a worse time. Alan’s arrest will become the talking point of next week’s conference.”
Another party insider added: “At the moment only a few senior Tories are aware of Alan Lewis’s arrest. But once word gets out it will be a bombshell.
“Alan is a hugely popular figure with the senior ranks of the party, and his close relationship with David Cameron is well known.
“He plays a crucial role in keeping the obvious links between the Conservatives and their friends in the business world.”
Police asked committed ­Christian Mr Lewis, who is said to be worth £220million, to attend a station in Belgravia, Central London.
He was then arrested on ­suspicion of raping the student in a Manchester hotel while on a business trip. She lived in the city at the time of the alleged attack.
The married woman, from Dorset and now in her 60s, came forward with her shock allegation a few weeks ago.
Greater Manchester Police are ­investigating the claim.
Mr Cameron was informed of the arrest soon after it happened.
Friends: Tycoon Alan Lewis With David Cameron at meeting
The PM had hoped the conference would prove to be a huge PR success as he unveiled a series of new policies in an attempt to win over voters wooed by Labour leader Ed Miliband’s powerful speech last week in Brighton.
But there were grave fears that would be overshadowed by the arrest.
Sources said police had originally intended to approach Mr Lewis in the days after the conference ended next week.
But, for operational reasons, officers decided to speak to him before he made the journey up to Manchester.
A party source said: “Questions are sure to be asked as to why the police have decided to arrest Alan Lewis only 48 hours before the start of conference. News of the arrest was bound to become the talk of the conference.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “A 75-year-old man has been arrested after a complaint of an historic rape in the Manchester area in the late 60s.
"The man remains in custody for questioning and inquiries are ongoing.”
Mr Lewis, who has donated nearly £500,000 to the Tories since 2006, was due attend meetings with business leaders and MPs at the conference.
The multi-millionaire, who grew up in Manchester and now has homes in London and Florida, was a successful ­entrepreneur at the time of the alleged rape.
He made his fortune turning around ailing textile firms.
He has been a central Tory figure since the 80s and went on to become chairman of the ­Confederation of British Industry from 1988 to 1990.
Mr Lewis, awarded a CBE in 1990, displayed his close ties to the party during the 1987 election as Margaret Thatcher regained power.
In 2010, the Mr Cameron made him vice chairman with responsibility for ­business. Mr Lewis claims to read the Bible every day.
He once said: “You have to conduct business in an honest and Christian-like way.”
At last year’s Tory conference he was involved in selling packages for up to £1,250 to bosses of oil and payday loan firms that allowed them to spend time with Mr Cameron and other Tories.