Imran Khan: Tory MP accused of sexual assault tells court 15-year-old boy 'bolted' from bedroom when porn was mentioned
The jury at Southwark Crown Court has previously been told of a separate alleged incident, whereby the MP allegedly sexually assaulted a man in his sleep in Pakistan almost three years later in 2010.
Wednesday 6 April 2022 15:29, UK
A Tory MP accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy has said the teenager became upset and "bolted" from a bedroom when the topic of pornography was raised.
Imran Ahmad Khan, 48, told a court he was trying to be "kind" and "helpful" when discussing sexuality with the boy, who he said appeared "troubled".
The MP for Wakefield denies sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in a bunk bed at a house in Staffordshire in January 2008.
The MP told Southwark Crown Court he had been engaged in a "philosophical" discussion about sexuality with the boy during the course of the evening, but rejected any suggestion it was sexual.
Boy became 'extremely upset'
Khan was asked in court whether he had any agenda in speaking about his sexuality. He replied "No".
"He seemed very keen to want to talk about this (sexuality). I think it would have been rude or perhaps a tad cruel to shut him down," he added.
The MP, who is gay and a Muslim, claims he only touched the Catholic teenager's elbow when the boy "became extremely upset" after a conversation about his confused sexuality.
The trial heard Khan allegedly forced the youngster to drink gin, dragged him upstairs and asked him to watch pornography before touching his feet and legs.
Comment seemed to have 'triggered' teenager
Khan said he had referenced pornography at the end of the evening, when standing in the bedroom as the boy sat up in bed, to suggest a way in which the boy could find out where his "attraction lay".
He said the comment seemed to have "triggered" the teenager who became "very upset" and "bolted out".
Khan added that he did place his hand momentarily "either on his elbow or arm to placate him" and reassured him that everything would be okay.
The MP explained his distress over the allegations, adding he was "simply trying to be kind" to a young man he thought was troubled.
Khan, who was elected in West Yorkshire in 2019, denied allegations that he had felt the teenage boy's feet, up his legs or towards his groin area.
He said he was not drunk that evening, but said he thought "we were all probably a little merry".
The trial had previously heard that the alleged victim, now 29, was "scared" and "numb" by the incident.
The jury has also been told of a separate alleged incident, which is not part of the charge in this trial, whereby the MP allegedly sexually assaulted a man in his sleep in Pakistan almost three years later.
The trial continues.