Former Conservative MP Ben Howlett, who represented Bath from 2015 to 2017, has pleaded guilty to assault by beating in connection with an incident at a Battersea pub in June 2021. The plea was entered at Kingston Crown Court just as his trial was due to begin. Howlett had originally faced a sexual assault charge relating to the same incident, alleging he intentionally touched a man aged 16 or over in a sexual manner without consent. That charge was brought by the Metropolita