Former Conservative MP, Ben Howlett pleaded guilty to assault by beating

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 Metropolitan Police earlier this year. The guilty plea to the lesser offence means the sexual assault charge will not proceed to trial.

Sentencing has been scheduled for 10 December. Howlett remains on unconditional bail.

A separate allegation dating back to 2016, when Howlett was serving as MP for Bath, was investigated but did not lead to charges after prosecutors determined the case did not meet the evidential threshold.

Howlett served one term in Parliament before losing his seat in 2017. He has since worked in lobbying and public policy roles.