Teenage Sexual Assault: MP To Stand Trial

Khan faces a single count of sexual assault against the teenager, who cannot be identified because he is an alleged victim of a sexual offence, in 2008.    Talktokemi

According to report, the conservative MP is to stand trial after being charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008, it can now be revealed.

Imran Ahmad Khan, 47, the Conservative MP for Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is alleged to have groped the teenager in Staffordshire.

Khan, who was elected at the 2019 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday by video-link from his lawyers' office.

The story had previously been subjected to reporting restrictions.

The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that police had been authorised to charge Khan with one count of sexual assault dating from 2008.

"The CPS made the decision that Mr Khan should be charged after reviewing a file of evidence from Staffordshire Police," it said.

"We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Khan are active and that he has a right to a fair trial."

The charge read out in court states: "In the county of Staffordshire you intentionally touched a boy aged 15 and that touching was sexual when he did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that he was consenting, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003."

Asked to indicate a plea to the charge, Khan, who was represented by Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC, said: "Not guilty."

He Tweeted on Friday: "It is true that an allegation has been made against me.

"May I make it clear from the outset that the allegation, which is from over thirteen years ago, is denied in the strongest terms.

"This matter is extremely distressing to me and I of course, take it extremely seriously.

"To be accused of something I did not do is shocking, destabilising and traumatic. I am innocent.

"Those, like me, who are falsely accused of such actions are in the difficult position of having to endure damaging ad painful speculation until the case is concluded.

"I ask for privacy as I work to clear my name."

Khan will appear at the Old Bailey, on 15 July at 9.30am. He was granted unconditional bail until then.

Born in Wakefield, Khan attended the independent Silcoates School before going to university at the Pushkin Institute in Russia and graduating from King's College in London with a degree in war studies.