A former MP has appeared in court to deny drunkenly sexually assaulting a woman during a night out.
Conor McGinn, 41, from Lambeth, south London, is accused of “coming on to” the woman after they went out drinking in 2022, allegedly groping her breasts and crotch area.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the politician appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram to plead not guilty to a charge of sexual assault.
The judge ordered him to stand trial over three days in November.
Prosecutor Colin Witcher said the alleged offence happened in July 2022, when McGinn was “out socialising with the complainant and others”.
“At that time, the defendant was an MP,” he said.
“Towards the end of that evening, the complainant alleges the defendant, in drink, came on to her and began kissing her.
“She said no and attempted to push him away, saying stop, pointing out he is married.”
It is said McGinn went on to “grope” the woman, over her clothing in the breasts and crotch area.
“Outside the club, there was similar behaviour towards the complainant,” added Mr Witcher.
McGinn’s defence barrister, Orla Daly, told the hearing he “vehemently denies” the allegation against him.
The court also heard that the incident was initially investigated internally by the Labour Party before being reported to the Metropolitan Police.
Judge Ikram freed McGinn on unconditional bail until the start of the three-day trial which is due to begin on November 16.
McGinn was elected as the MP for St Helens North in Merseyside in 2015, and spent the next nine years in Parliament.
He served as an opposition whip and the Labour Party’s deputy national campaign co-ordinator, and announced in 2023 that he would stand down at the election the following year.
He had been suspended by the Labour Party in 2022.
McGinn, who lives in an apartment block in Lambeth which overlooks the River Thames, spoke during the 15-minute court hearing to confirm his identity and deny sexual assault.
He agreed to stand trial in the magistrates’ court rather than electing a jury trial.
