A former justice minister has reiterated his controversial defence of ex-Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy, arguing the disgraced politician didn’t get a “honest trial”.
Final month, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt eliminated a submit from his web site and Twitter feed wherein he had claimed Khan was the sufferer of a “dreadful miscarriage of justice”, after the previous Wakefield MP was discovered responsible of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008.
Retracting his preliminary assertion, Mr Blunt insisted: “I don’t condone any type of abuse and I strongly consider within the independence and integrity of the justice system.”
Former Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan was discovered responsible of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(PA Wire)
He supplied his resignation as chairman of an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on LGBT points following protests from MPs over his feedback.
However in a brand new interview with BBC One’s Politics South East programme, he stood by his earlier defence of Khan, who was thrown out of the Conservative Occasion following the decision and later resigned.
In response to Mr Blunt’s newest feedback, Steve Reed, Labour’s shadow justice secretary, mentioned the MP ought to have the whip eliminated if the Tories have “any respect for victims of sexual abuse”.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Occasion described Mr Blunt’s views as “wholly unacceptable” whereas a whips workplace supply mentioned it’s anticipated all Tory MPs respect courtroom judgments.
Reflecting on his preliminary assertion, Mr Blunt informed the BBC: “I didn’t know Imran – I bought to know him within the first few weeks of 2019 and 2020 and completely loved his firm, and will nicely see why he’d be a terrific parliamentarian with an infinite quantity to contribute.
“And so this concern, then, arising for me is … his conviction. And I don’t need to … I noticed what occurred (on the trial). I stay completely satisfied.”
I do know what choices had been made inside the trial, which meant that, in my judgment, he didn’t get a good trial or something remotely like that
Crispin Blunt
Mr Blunt admitted he didn’t attend the entire trial, however mentioned: “I do know what choices had been made inside the trial, which meant that, in my judgment, he didn’t get a good trial or something remotely like that.”
Pressed on whether or not he nonetheless believes that now, he mentioned: “Sure, I do.”
Mr Blunt additionally mentioned he was not current in courtroom for the witness proof.
Requested if he due to this fact thought he knew greater than the jury, he mentioned: “Sure inevitably, as a result of numerous the trial was carried out with out the jury being current.”
He added that it stays his judgment that he had seen “a severe miscarriage of justice”.
I stay very assured {that a} justice system worthy of the identify will restore his good identify
Crispin Blunt
On what he would say to individuals who had been upset by his stance, Mr Blunt mentioned: “After all, the justice course of isn’t full, as a result of … Imran has the chance to enchantment the conviction.
“And I stay very assured {that a} justice system worthy of the identify will restore his good identify.
“The victims … who’ve been victims of sexual assault will clearly have felt immensely strongly concerning the nature of my assertion. However it’s maybe (in) the character of a few of my politics … to hunt to make the case … for folks whom others received’t.”
Earlier this month, Mr Blunt, who’s the MP for Reigate, introduced he would stand down on the subsequent election.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court docket took about 5 hours to determine Khan, 48, was responsible of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
Khan is formally interesting in opposition to the conviction. He is because of be sentenced on Might 23.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
