The Conservative MP who condemned the conviction of his colleague for sexual assault, and then issued an apology, has sparked controversy after once again claiming the verdict was “a serious miscarriage of justice”.
Crispin Blunt MP told BBC1’s Politics South East: I know the decisions made during the trial [of Imran Ahmad Khan], which meant that, in my judgement, he did not get a fair trial or anything remotely like that.”
Southwark Crown Court convicted Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan of sexually assaulting a boy aged 15 years.
The victim was allegedly forced to drink alcohol and to view pornography by the attacker before he assaulted him in a Staffordshire house.
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Since then, he is no longer an MP. Next month, a by-election will take place in his former seat.
Blunt, who was only present for a portion of the trial but did not witness witness testimony, seemed to claim that he knew more about this case than the jury.
“Yes inevitably, because quite a lot of the trial was conducted without the jury being present,” he stressed, going on: “Of course, the justice process is not complete, because… Imran has the opportunity to appeal the conviction. And I remain very confident that a justice system worthy of the name will restore his good name.”
Blunt MP, then chair the APPG on global LGBT+ rights, claimed following Ahmad Khan’s conviction had “dreadful wider implications for millions of LGBT+ Muslims around the world.”
Blunt’s statement was soon deleted from his website and he subsequently issued an apology for the remarks, stating: “I am sorry that my defence of him has been a cause of significant upset and concern not least to victims of sexual offences.”
He also claimed he believed in the independence and integrity” of Britain’s justice system.
He also stated that he had resigned from his position as chair of the APPG, which advocates for LGBT+ rights worldwide.
