Tory MP charged with three counts of sexual assault

CHARGED Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover TORY Charlie Elphicke was yesterday charged with three counts of sexual assault relating to two alleged victims.

The Dover MP, 48, is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on September 6, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed yesterday.

He is alleged to have attacked the first woman in 2007 and the second woman twice in 2016.

Elphicke, who denies any wrongdoing, is confident he will clear his name and will “defend himself vigorously” his lawyer said.

A source close to the MP claimed: “Charlie believes he has been fitted up – he has co-operated for 20 months.

“He is stunned to have been charged, maintains 100% innocence and is confident he will be cleared.”

Married Elphicke, who was elected in 2010, was suspended from the Conservative Party in November 2017 after “serious allegations” against him were referred to police.

Theresa May restored the Tory whip to him 13 months later, in December, just before she faced a vote of no-confidence.

A senior source revealed that it has now been suspended once again.

At the time, Labour MP Jess Phillips said the PM was putting “political power” ahead of protecting alleged victims.

■ A Tory peer and nine-time Paralympic swimming champion is to face trial charged with a sex assault on a woman at a hotel in Central London on March 7.

■ Lord Holmes, 47, of Richmond, SouthWest London, denies any wrongdoing.