Tory MP Charlie Elphicke charged with three counts of sexual assault

Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault against two women, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

A CPS spokesperson said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has today Monday July 22 charged Charles Elphicke, MP for Dover, with three charges of sexual assault against two women.

"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 September 6.

The charges relate to one alleged sexual assault in 2007 against the first complainant and two separate alleged sexual assaults in 2016 against the second complainant. 

Mr Elphicke’s constituency association chairman, Keith Single, said in a statement: "Throughout the last 20 months since these allegations were first made, Charlie has had our full support. That support will continue. Basic British values require that everyone remains innocent until proven otherwise.

"Unfortunately, as everyone knows, there have been many recent occasions when, in dealing with matters of this type, the Metropolitan Police and the CPS have pursued allegations which have been proven in court to be entirely untrue.

"We have no doubt that this will be another one of them and Charlie will be fully exonerated."

A source close to Mr Elphicke told The Telegraph: "He is stunned to have been charged, maintains 100% innocence and is confident he will be cleared."

In a statement Elphicke's solicitor Ellen Peart, of law firm BCL, 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."