MP Elphicke is charged with three sex assaults
TORY MP Charlie Elphicke was charged with three sexual assaults on two women yesterday, reducing the Government’s majority in the House of Commons to two.
The 48-year-old, who is accused of attacking one woman in 2007 and carrying out two further sex attacks on a second woman in 2016, has had the Conservative whip withdrawn.
Elphicke, a married father of two who has represented Dover and Deal for nine years, claims he has been ‘fitted up’ and intends to ‘defend himself vigorously’. A senior Tory source said Elphicke will sit as an independent MP during the criminal process.
Although Elphicke may still vote with the Government, the majority is only sustained with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party. It would drop to just one if, as predicted, the Conservatives lose the Brecon and Radnorshire seat in a by-election on August 1.
Whatever that result, the new Prime Minister, expected to be Boris Johnson, will have little margin for error, with predictions that the majority could disappear altogether in the coming months.
Elphicke, a former tax lawyer, was charged under section three of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 6. He is accused of attacking the second alleged victim while he was a sitting MP, having been elected at the 2010 election.
His solicitor Ellen Peart said: ‘Charlie Elphicke denies any wrongdoing. He will defend himself vigorously and is confident he will clear his name.’
A source close to the MP added: ‘Charlie believes he has been fitted up – he has co-operated with this inquiry for 20 months. At the outset he gave them documents which proved the allegations were fabricated. He is stunned to have been charged, maintains 100 per cent innocence and is confident he will be cleared.’
Elphicke retained the Dover and Deal seat, which was previously held by Labour, at the 2017 election with a majority of 6,437. He first lost the whip in November 2017 after Scotland Yard launched its investigation. Theresa May restored the whip 13 months later ahead of a no- confidence vote in her leadership.
Keith Single, chairman of Elphicke’s Tory constituency association, said: ‘Charlie has had our full support. That support will continue. Basic British values require that everyone remains innocent until proven otherwise. We have no doubt Charlie will be exonerated.’
With parliamentary numbers so tight, next week’s by-election in Brecon is vital. Former Tory MP Chris Davies lost the seat after constituents petitioned for his removal following his conviction for a false expenses claim. He stands again but is expected to face a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats.