‘Rising star’ Tory MP faces trial over historic sexual assault allegations relating to ‘groping incident in 2008’
- The MP, described as a ‘rising star’ of the Tory Party denies the groping claim
- Allies of the MP have described the allegations as being ‘politically motivated’
- The Conservative politician is facing a possible hearing at a magistrates’ court
A Tory MP is facing accusations that he sexually assaulted a victim in 2008 before he was elected to the House of Commons.
The MP, who denies the claims, is facing the prospect of being required to face charges of groping his alleged victim before magistrates.
The allegations, which are believed to be at the lower end of the scale, are not serious enough to be sent to trial on indictment.
A Tory MP is being investigated by police over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a victim in 2008 before he was elected to Parliament
The MP, who is described as a ‘rising star’ in the party, may be told to avoid Westminster until the case is settled
According to The Sun, the MP is a ‘rising star’ in the party, and faces possible suspension from the Conservative Party and being ordered to stay away from Westminster.
The MP’s solicitor told the paper that his client will deny the single charge.
Tory Party sources have described the allegations as ‘political smears’.
Last year a high profile former Tory minister was arrested on suspicion rape and was told not to attend the House of Commons. The MP strongly denied the allegations and the case was dropped by the Metropolitan Police after they failed to discover enough evidence to support a charge.
In September 2020 former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke was jailed for two years after he was could guilty of sexually assaulting two women almost a decade apart.
The disgraced 49-year-old former MP was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault following a month-long trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Sentencing him last year, Mrs Justice Whipple told Elphicke: ‘You’re a sexual predator who used your success and respectability as a cover.
Former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, pictured, was jailed for two years following a month-long trial at Southwark Crown Court after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women
‘You required both women to come to court and give evidence about the assaults you had made on them.
‘That was not easy for them and they displayed great courage.
‘They told the truth, you told a pack of lies – not just to the jury but, as became clear, to your wife, the whips, and the police as well.’
She added that ‘the gross breach of your position of power’ meant a sentence of immediate custody was required.
Elphicke was also ordered to pay £35,000 in costs, although his lawyer said he had ‘a fair bit of debt’ and that his estranged wife, Natalie Elphicke, loaned him £100,000 to pay for legal bills.
It emerged that his 20-year-old daughter, Charlotte, had become estranged from him, while his wife – his successor as MP for Dover – ended their 25-year marriage upon his conviction.