The MP Charlie Elphicke has appeared in court to deny three counts of sexual assault against two women.

Elphicke, the independent MP for Dover, attended Westminster magistrates court on Friday morning accused of a sexual assault against one woman in 2007. He is also accused of two assaults against a second woman in 2016.

He chose to have a trial at crown court and will appear at Southwark crown court for a pre-trial hearing in October.

The former whip represented the Conservatives from 2010 until November 2017, when he was suspended from the party after the allegations were referred to the police.

In December 2018, he was readmitted into the party before a confidence vote for then-prime minister Theresa May.

However, when Elphicke, 48, was formally charged in July this year, the party suspended him again on the same day.

Elphicke’s solicitor, Ellen Peart, said: “Charlie Elphicke has said from the outset that he denies any wrongdoing. He will defend himself vigorously and is confident that he will clear his name.”