Tory MP Charlie Elphicke charged with sexually assaulting two women

The Conservative MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault against two women, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today revealed. Elphicke will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on September 6th. In a statement, the CPS said they had made the decision to press charges after "reviewing a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police". The charges relate to three alleged assaults against two women, one which allegedly took place in 2007 and two alleged assaults against a separate woman in 2008. Mr Elphicke has repeatedly denied any "criminal wrongdoing". In a statement today, Elphicke's lawyer, 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."

Following the emergence of the allegations in 2017, Elphicke had the Tory whip removed whilst the case was investigated. However, Theresa May controversially reinstated the MP to the party just hours before a vote of confidence in her leadership in December. The Conservative Party have yet to make an announcement on whether Mr Elphicke will be suspended for a second time over today's charges. Should the whip be withdrawn from Mr Elphicke, and should the Liberal Democrats win next Thursday's by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire as is widely expected, the new Conservative Prime Minister - to be announced tomorrow - will inherit a working majority of just one single MP.