The DUP MP said he was “not aware” of allegations of child sexual abuse threatening the Conservative MP when he referred to his attempt to ban the press.
Jim Shannon said he would “definitely delete” a written statement of Wakefield MP Imran Ahmed Khan, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy on Monday.
Khan refused to attend a party in Staffordshire in January 2008, but was tried after a trial. He has since been expelled from the Conservative Party.
The 48-year-old said he wanted to appeal the ruling.
Southwark Crown Court heard that a teenager was forced to drink gin, took him and told him to look at pornography before being abused.
The applicant, now 29, said the attack left him “frightened and shocked.”
(Photo: UK Parliament)
After the verdict, it can already be said that Khan tried to discuss the case in secret.
His lawyers argued that as an incumbent parliamentarian, there were concerns for his safety and that his name in court would violate his human rights.
The announcement of anonymity included a letter from Mr Shannon to a letter from the House of Commons.
There were also statements made by former British diplomat and intelligence officer Richard Barrett and former RAF Senior Officer Afzal Ashraf.
However, the police risk assessment concluded that the defendant’s life was “not in objective danger” due to his name being mentioned in the proceedings.
His comments were rejected by Paul Goldspring by the Chief Justice of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, who said: “Reputational damage is not the basis of order, it is open justice and must remain the cornerstone of democracy and a state of right.”
Mr. Shannon said in a statement that when he presented the reference he thought the allegations were frightening.
A deputy from Strangford said: “I didn’t know the nature of the allegations. I heard there was a report of bullying.
“In good faith, I made a written statement about a man I knew while working for all party groups.
“The court has made a decision. My thoughts are with the victim of this horrific crime. I was shocked and will definitely explain my reference.”
Khan also tried to hear the case anonymously on the first day of the trial.
The parliamentarian said he is a Muslim like Ahmed. Alcohol consumption and homosexuality are strictly prohibited, and covering up these issues “poses a threat to your safety both here and abroad.”
A restraining order was issued but was invalidated at the end of the second day of the trial.
Khan was found guilty after five hours of deliberation.
The judge, Mr. Juster Baker, said he had delivered a long ruling on schedule and warned him that “all options for trial, including immediate arrest, will be considered by the court”.
Source: Belfastlive
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