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Max Clifford 'revolted' by claims of sexual interest in children | Max Clifford 'revolted' by claims of sexual interest in children |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Max Clifford has said allegations he has a sexual interest in children are "utterly revolting, utterly untrue, disgusting lies". | Max Clifford has said allegations he has a sexual interest in children are "utterly revolting, utterly untrue, disgusting lies". |
The publicist told his trial he had helped expose convicted paedophiles Gary Glitter and Jonathan King. | The publicist told his trial he had helped expose convicted paedophiles Gary Glitter and Jonathan King. |
He also said he went to sex parties when he was younger, but had never had sex with a woman without her consent. | He also said he went to sex parties when he was younger, but had never had sex with a woman without her consent. |
Mr Clifford denies 11 counts of indecent assault relating to seven alleged victims, aged from 14 to 20. | Mr Clifford denies 11 counts of indecent assault relating to seven alleged victims, aged from 14 to 20. |
The alleged incidents are said to have happened between 1966 and 1984. | The alleged incidents are said to have happened between 1966 and 1984. |
Mr Clifford, 70, from Hersham, Surrey, is giving evidence for the first time in his trial at Southwark Crown Court. | Mr Clifford, 70, from Hersham, Surrey, is giving evidence for the first time in his trial at Southwark Crown Court. |
'Not orgies' | 'Not orgies' |
Setting out his case for the defence, barrister Richard Horwell QC cast doubt on evidence given so far, saying "details" had "caught out" the prosecution witnesses. | Setting out his case for the defence, barrister Richard Horwell QC cast doubt on evidence given so far, saying "details" had "caught out" the prosecution witnesses. |
In particular, he said they had given "contradictory" evidence relating to the size of Mr Clifford's penis. | In particular, he said they had given "contradictory" evidence relating to the size of Mr Clifford's penis. |
He said evidence from the seven accusers about its size ranged from "freakishly small" to "enormous" and, as such, none could be relied upon. | He said evidence from the seven accusers about its size ranged from "freakishly small" to "enormous" and, as such, none could be relied upon. |
"None of these four witnesses is correct," said Mr Horwell. "That's because Mr Clifford has an average-sized penis. That will be his evidence." | "None of these four witnesses is correct," said Mr Horwell. "That's because Mr Clifford has an average-sized penis. That will be his evidence." |
Asked about its size, Mr Clifford said it was "average". | Asked about its size, Mr Clifford said it was "average". |
Mr Clifford was later questioned about attending "sex parties" in the past. | Mr Clifford was later questioned about attending "sex parties" in the past. |
"There would have been parties from my younger days," he said. "There were not orgies. Not everyone went there and took their clothes off." | "There would have been parties from my younger days," he said. "There were not orgies. Not everyone went there and took their clothes off." |
Asked by Mr Horwell if he had ever had sex with a woman without her consent, Mr Clifford replied: "No." | Asked by Mr Horwell if he had ever had sex with a woman without her consent, Mr Clifford replied: "No." |
And asked if he had ever had a sexual interest in children, he said: "No, no. It is utterly revolting, utterly, utterly disgusting lies." | And asked if he had ever had a sexual interest in children, he said: "No, no. It is utterly revolting, utterly, utterly disgusting lies." |
Elsewhere, the publicist told the court he had had a number of affairs, including one with a woman who worked in his office, with whom he had had a two-year relationship. | Elsewhere, the publicist told the court he had had a number of affairs, including one with a woman who worked in his office, with whom he had had a two-year relationship. |
He said they had sex in his office "very, very occasionally". | He said they had sex in his office "very, very occasionally". |
Mr Clifford, who was married at the time, told the court: "I knew what I was doing was morally wrong, but I didn't think I would be found out." | Mr Clifford, who was married at the time, told the court: "I knew what I was doing was morally wrong, but I didn't think I would be found out." |
He said he would have married the woman if he had not been married already. | He said he would have married the woman if he had not been married already. |
During his evidence, Mr Clifford also denied claims he had impersonated Hollywood directors and producers such as Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and Charles Bronson on the phone. | During his evidence, Mr Clifford also denied claims he had impersonated Hollywood directors and producers such as Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and Charles Bronson on the phone. |
He said he sometimes used fake identities because it was a way of "checking people out and getting to the truth". | He said he sometimes used fake identities because it was a way of "checking people out and getting to the truth". |
But he said he could only do a "gay voice". | But he said he could only do a "gay voice". |
Several of his accusers have said they received calls from a man with an effeminate voice urging them to contact Max Clifford. | Several of his accusers have said they received calls from a man with an effeminate voice urging them to contact Max Clifford. |
But he has denied making those calls or using the names given by the male caller to the witnesses. | But he has denied making those calls or using the names given by the male caller to the witnesses. |
When questioned about Top of the Pops, the publicist said he had had "open access" to the pop music show for 20 years. | When questioned about Top of the Pops, the publicist said he had had "open access" to the pop music show for 20 years. |
He told the court the 1960s and 1970s were a time of "sexual revolution", adding: "If I really wanted to impress young girls, it would have been easy." | He told the court the 1960s and 1970s were a time of "sexual revolution", adding: "If I really wanted to impress young girls, it would have been easy." |
But he insisted his PR business would have been "ruined" if he had a reputation for touching women. | But he insisted his PR business would have been "ruined" if he had a reputation for touching women. |
'Repulsive' | 'Repulsive' |
Earlier the court heard extracts from police interviews with Mr Clifford when he was first questioned after his arrest in December 2012. | Earlier the court heard extracts from police interviews with Mr Clifford when he was first questioned after his arrest in December 2012. |
During those interviews when police asked what sort of sexual activity had occurred in Mr Clifford's office, he said: "Slap and tickle, kissing and cuddling, I might have had oral sex occasionally." | During those interviews when police asked what sort of sexual activity had occurred in Mr Clifford's office, he said: "Slap and tickle, kissing and cuddling, I might have had oral sex occasionally." |
He also said he had "never forced" himself on anyone, and was "never into young girls". | He also said he had "never forced" himself on anyone, and was "never into young girls". |
The jury also heard that when he was confronted over a claim he had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a Jacuzzi in Spain - which is not part of this trial as the alleged offence happened abroad - Mr Clifford said: "It's repulsive, it's totally untrue." | The jury also heard that when he was confronted over a claim he had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a Jacuzzi in Spain - which is not part of this trial as the alleged offence happened abroad - Mr Clifford said: "It's repulsive, it's totally untrue." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |