Former MP Conor McGinn denies sexually assaulting woman on night out
A former MP appeared in court to deny drunkenly sexually assaulting a woman on a night out.
Conor McGinn, 41, from Lambeth, south London, is accused of “walking in” after allegedly groping the woman’s breasts and groin area after they went out drinking in 2022.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the politician appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram to plead guilty to a charge of sexual assault.
The judge ordered him to stand trial for three days in November.
Prosecutor Colin Witcher said the alleged offense occurred in July 2022 while McGinn was “out socializing with the complainant and others”.
“At that time, the defendant was a member of parliament,” he said.
“Towards the end of that evening, the complainant claimed that the defendant, drunk, approached her and started kissing her.
“He said no and tried to push her away by telling her to stop, pointing out that he was married.”
McGinn is said to have continued to “grope” the woman’s clothing in the breast and crotch area.
“There was similar behavior towards the complainant outside the club,” Mr Witcher added.
McGinn’s defense lawyer, Orla Daly, said at the hearing that he “strongly denies” the allegations made against him.
The court also heard the incident was investigated internally by Labor before being reported to the Metropolitan Police.
Judge Ikram released McGinn on unconditional bail until a three-day hearing to begin on November 16.
McGinn was elected MP for St Helens North on Merseyside in 2015 and spent the next nine years in Parliament.
He served as opposition whip and Labor Party’s deputy national campaign co-ordinator, and in 2023 announced he would withdraw from the election the following year.
He was suspended from office by the Labor Party in 2022.
McGinn, who lives in a flat overlooking the River Thames in Lambeth, spoke during the 15-minute hearing to confirm his identity and deny sexual assault.
He agreed to be tried in magistrate court rather than opting for a jury trial.
