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Ken Clarke describes sex abuse claim as 'preposterous' Ken Clarke describes sex abuse claim as 'preposterous'
(about 2 hours later)
Ex-chancellor of the exchequer Ken Clarke has denied molesting an actor who claims he was sexually assaulted by the MP as a young man. Ken Clarke has described the claims of an actor who alleges he was sexually assaulted by the MP as a young man as "preposterous".
Ben Fellows, 40, of Solihull, alleges the Conservative MP plied him with alcohol and abused him in 1994.Ben Fellows, 40, of Solihull, alleges the Conservative MP plied him with alcohol and abused him in 1994.
Mr Fellows is on trial at the Old Bailey in London where he denies perverting the course of justice by making a false claim against Mr Clarke.Mr Fellows is on trial at the Old Bailey in London where he denies perverting the course of justice by making a false claim against Mr Clarke.
The 75-year-old politician told the court the claim was "preposterous". The former chancellor of the exchequer, 75, said the abuse never took place.
Jurors have heard that in 2012 Mr Fellows told national news reporters Mr Clarke had assaulted him in the office of political lobbyist Ian Greer during a cash-for-questions sting by ITV's The Cook Report.Jurors have heard that in 2012 Mr Fellows told national news reporters Mr Clarke had assaulted him in the office of political lobbyist Ian Greer during a cash-for-questions sting by ITV's The Cook Report.
'Like Martians landing''Like Martians landing'
Some stories were published in print and online.Some stories were published in print and online.
Mr Fellows went on to make a police statement as part of Operation Fairbank - an investigation into child sex abuse claims at Westminster - saying he had been working as an undercover actor and there were a number of people also working on the show at the time who were aware of the assault.Mr Fellows went on to make a police statement as part of Operation Fairbank - an investigation into child sex abuse claims at Westminster - saying he had been working as an undercover actor and there were a number of people also working on the show at the time who were aware of the assault.
Giving evidence, Mr Clarke, the MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, said it had been quite a detailed allegation but nothing to do with him.Giving evidence, Mr Clarke, the MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, said it had been quite a detailed allegation but nothing to do with him.
"Apparently, while chancellor of the exchequer I was hanging around the office of Ian Greer and groped a man."Apparently, while chancellor of the exchequer I was hanging around the office of Ian Greer and groped a man.
"My recollection was it was like Martians landing.""My recollection was it was like Martians landing."
'Off the Richter scale''Off the Richter scale'
He said he had been visited by police in 2013 who informed him of Mr Fellows' claim, and told them he was already of aware of it.He said he had been visited by police in 2013 who informed him of Mr Fellows' claim, and told them he was already of aware of it.
"I was first alerted by my son, who uses the internet, and he spotted somebody called Ben Fellows was making rather nasty allegations against me on the internet which upset my son and upset me as well."I was first alerted by my son, who uses the internet, and he spotted somebody called Ben Fellows was making rather nasty allegations against me on the internet which upset my son and upset me as well.
"My staff made attempts to get it taken down but it was hopeless."My staff made attempts to get it taken down but it was hopeless.
"By the time the police arrived I was aware what there was on the internet and newspapers. This guy for some reason was making this allegation against me over and over again trying to publicise it.""By the time the police arrived I was aware what there was on the internet and newspapers. This guy for some reason was making this allegation against me over and over again trying to publicise it."
He denied knowing Mr Greer or going to his Westminster office and described Mr Fellows as a "stalker".He denied knowing Mr Greer or going to his Westminster office and described Mr Fellows as a "stalker".
He said he had "never had the compulsion" to grope a man and added: "It's preposterous. It's off the Richter scale. It was a remarkable series of events."He said he had "never had the compulsion" to grope a man and added: "It's preposterous. It's off the Richter scale. It was a remarkable series of events."
The trial continues.