Former MP Ben Howlett Charged with Sexual Assault from 2021 Incident
Ben Howlett, a former Conservative MP for Bath, has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident that allegedly took place at a pub in Battersea, southwest London, in 2021.
The 38-year-old appeared in Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on July 2, where the case was referred to Kingston Crown Court. He faces one count of sexual assault and is due to appear in court again on July 29. No plea was entered at his initial hearing.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the alleged assault occurred on August 18, 2021, at a pub on Nine Elms Lane. The victim, a man over the age of 16, reported that he was sexually assaulted by another man. Scotland Yard confirmed Howlett voluntarily participated in the investigation and was officially charged on April 24, 2025.
The charge states that Howlett “intentionally touched a man aged 16 or over, and that the touching was sexual when he did not consent, and you did not reasonably believe that he was consenting.”
Howlett resides in Greenwich and has been released on unconditional bail.
Despite the pending charge, Howlett recently took part in a meeting on artificial intelligence with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in North Wales in June. He was representing his role as CEO of Curia and co-founder of UKAI, organizations focused on public policy and AI innovation.
Howlett previously served in Parliament from 2015 to 2017, and has since worked in the private lobbying and policy sector. He also shared photos of himself outside 10 Downing Street during Rishi Sunak’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Police say the victim is continuing to receive support from specialist officers as the case progresses.
