Political reporter(wp):
A Conservative MP’s aide has denied raping a woman in the Houses of Parliament.
Sam Armstrong, who has been suspended as chief of staff to the South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, pleaded not guilty at Southwark crown court on Friday to four charges including two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.
The 23-year-old, from Danbury, Essex, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the woman in an office in the Norman Shaw North building on the parliamentary estate on 14 October 2016.
Armstrong entered not guilty pleas and spoke to confirm his name. The judge, Deborah Taylor, scheduled the trial for 11 December at the same court.
Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, did not object to Armstrong being released on bail. The accused was released on condition that he did not enter the Palace of Westminster or contact the alleged victim.
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