Woman who says Tory MP assaulted her was 'drunkenly flirting with other men'

A woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by a Tory MP was drunkenly flirting with other men in a pub hours before the alleged incident.

The 29-year-old former political aide was seen chatting to a number of different men before she ended up in deep conversation with married father-of-two Andrew Bridgen.

Details about her conduct emerged as Mr Bridgen, who was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, issued a statement saying he had been targeted in a ‘mischievous and damaging way’.



Andrew Bridgen with his wife Jacqueline after his election victory last May

He described the claims as ‘demonstrably and provably false’.

As speculation mounted that Scotland Yard will drop the case in the next few days, onlookers told the Mail that his accuser was inebriated and in high spirits when she talked to Mr Bridgen, 46, and a second man at a pub in Westminster on Wednesday evening.

One said: ‘The woman had been approaching a number of men in the pub and seemed quite drunk. She then approached the MP and the two of them were chatting outside the pub with large glasses of white wine.’

Mr Bridgen's wife Jackie seen here driving back to their house following the accusations made against her husband

The pair were spotted smoking and talking outside after the pub had shut and were asked by staff to transfer their drinks into plastic cups.

After closing time, the pair and the second man went back to Mr Bridgen’s flat in Westminster to discuss politics. It was there that the alleged groping incident happened.

The woman claims that the former Royal Marines officer touched her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt shortly after they arrived at the property.