The former Hove MP and Labour defence minister Ivor Caplin has been released on bail after police arrested him on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Mr Caplin, 66, was kept in custody overnight as Sussex Police began an investigation into the claim.
He is due to answer police bail on Thursday 10 April.
The former Labour MP for Hove, Ivor Caplin, was arrested yesterday (Saturday 11 January) after a sting by paedophile hunters.
The sting was live-streamed on Facebook and further footage of the arrest was shared online.
Sussex Police said: “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 Saturday January 11 and currently remains in custody.
“This is an ongoing and active investigation.”
A confrontation with Mr Caplin, a former defence minister, was livestreamed on Facebook, lasting 30 minutes and attracting more than 36,000 views and 3,000 comments.
Further footage of his arrest similarly shared online.
Mr Caplin is understood to deny any wrongdoing.