Tory candidate Charlie Elphicke stands down to fight sexual assault allegations
8 November 2019, 20:53
Charlie Elphicke has stood down as the Conservative candidate for Dover and Deal to fight sexual assault allegations.
Mr Elphicke has represented the Kent constituency since 2010, however it will be now contested by his wife Natalie in next month's general election.
He lost the Tory whip in 2017 when allegations of sexual assault were referred to the police.
Mr Elphicke denies the allegations.
He was readmitted to the party in December, but was again suspended when he was formally charged in July this year.
The former MP is accused of a sexual assault against one woman in 2007 and two assaults against a different woman within a week of each other in 2016. He denies the allegations and has stood down to fight them in court.
On announcing his resignation, Mr Elphicke said: "Representing Dover & Deal has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. I'm incredibly proud of what our Conservative team has achieved working together for our community.
"I am standing down today with huge regret, because it seems that we no longer abide by the basic British value of an individual being deemed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in a fair trial.
"That sacred principle of our national life has been sacrificed in the current climate - as became clear with the false pursuit of baseless allegations against high profile individuals, some of whom were smeared beyond the grave.
"In my case, I have been subjected to daily falsehoods and vile abuse - from the malfeasance of cabinet ministers to the malice of twitter trolls.
He continued: "This has had the cumulative effect of jeopardising my right to a fair trial on charges I know to be baseless. That is why, having continued to work tirelessly for my constituents since these allegations were first made two years ago, I have now decided to stand down at this Election."
His wife Natalie, who will now stand instead, said: "I am delighted to have been adopted as the Conservative candidate for Dover and Deal.
"Our Conservative team has achieved so much since 2010 - and I am looking forward to building on these tremendous achievements.
"This election is about the future. And the choice is simple. To get Brexit done and move forward with the Conservatives, or stay in Europe forever and go backwards with Jeremy Corbyn.
She continued: "I will fight tirelessly to deliver better healthcare, more jobs and money, better schools, high quality affordable housing, more police on our streets - and stronger, more secure borders.
"The choice facing voters here as elsewhere in the UK is stark: a vote for anyone other than the Conservatives is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister.
"Working together here in Dover and Deal, I know we can avoid that nightmare, return a Conservative government and together build a brighter future for Britain while delivering for Dover & Deal."
Speaking about Mrs Elphicke's selection, Dover and Deal Conservatives Association chairman Keith Single said: "We considered matters most carefully and it is clear to us that Natalie will be an outstanding candidate for the Conservatives in Dover & Deal.
"She has loyally and effectively campaigned for the Conservatives over the past 30 years, and with us in Dover and Deal for over a decade. Nationally, she has led a government review into housing policy and been director of the Conservative party's policy forum.
"Her expertise in national policy combined with her experience of local constituency issues makes Natalie a first class Conservative candidate.
"We know that Natalie will continue to ensure that Dover and Deal has a strong, independent and Conservative voice in Parliament."
