Tory MP Charlie Elphicke charged with sexually assaulting two women
2 min read
Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been charged with sexually assaulting two women, prosecutors have announced.
The Dover MP - who had the Tory whip restored last year to allow him to vote in no-confidence move against Theresa May - will appear in court in September to face the charges.
In a statement released on Monday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had charged Mr Elphicke with three charges of sexual assault against two women.
A CPS spokesperson said: "The CPS made the decision to charge Mr Elphicke after reviewing a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police.
“The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Elphicke are now active and that he has a right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Mr Elphicke will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 6 September.
In a statement, his solicitor Ellen Peart said: "Charlie Elphicke has said from the outset that he denies any wrongdoing.
"He will defend himself vigorously and is confident that he will clear his name. Meanwhile Charlie would like to thank everyone for their continued support of him and his family. There will be no further comment at this stage."
The Dover MP was suspended by the party and referred to the police in late 2017 over claims of misconduct.
But he had the party whip restored in December just hours before a crucial confidence vote in Theresa May's leadership of the Conservatives.
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