Tory aide Samuel Armstrong denies raping woman at MP's office in Westminster

A Conservative MP's aide has denied raping a woman at an MP's office in Westminster.

Samuel Armstrong, 23, from Danbury in Essex, is charged with raping the woman twice and sexually assaulting her last October.

Mr Armstrong, who has been suspended as chief of staff to South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, wore a suit and pleaded not guilty to all four counts as he stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court.

It is alleged that he attacked the woman in a room at the Palace of Westminster.

The aide is also alleged to have touched her sexually on the same day without her consent.

Judge Deborah Taylor ordered him to appear for trial on December 11, which is estimated to last five to seven days.

A pre-trial hearing was scheduled to take place on September 29.

Armstrong was bailed on the condition he does not enter the Palace of Westminster or contact the alleged victim.