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Charlie Elphicke: Tory MP charged with sexual assault | Charlie Elphicke: Tory MP charged with sexual assault |
(32 minutes later) | |
A Conservative MP has been charged with three counts of sexual assault against two women. | |
Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, is alleged to have assaulted one woman in 2007 and a second woman twice in 2016. | Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, is alleged to have assaulted one woman in 2007 and a second woman twice in 2016. |
Mr Elphicke, 48, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 6 September. | Mr Elphicke, 48, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 6 September. |
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said it had made the decision to charge Mr Elphicke "after reviewing a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police". | |
Mr Elphicke was suspended from the party in November 2017 after "serious allegations" against him were referred to police. | Mr Elphicke was suspended from the party in November 2017 after "serious allegations" against him were referred to police. |
But he had the whip reinstated in December 2018 for a vote of confidence in Theresa May. | But he had the whip reinstated in December 2018 for a vote of confidence in Theresa May. |
In a statement, the MP's solicitor Ellen Peart said: "Charlie Elphicke has said from the outset that he denies any wrongdoing. | In a statement, the MP's 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." | "He will defend himself vigorously and is confident that he will clear his name." |
Mr Elphicke has represented his constituency since 2010 and was a government whip from 2015 to 2016. |