The MP who tried to gag the press

<p>In 2018, the Sunday Times broke the story that then-serving Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke had been accused of rape by a former aide. Elphicke denied the allegation and sued for libel, and the paper spent the next four years in a legal battle, which has only just concluded.</p><p>To read more:</p><p><a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-the-predator-mp-and-his-protection-racket-3kb30pl6w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-the-predator-mp-and-his-protection-racket-3kb30pl6w</a>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-abandons-libel-challenge-over-rape-report-wc5mrzg5w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-abandons-libel-challenge-over-rape-report-wc5mrzg5w</a></p><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: </em><a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/61ba0e441a8cbeb3393cf13c/episodes/thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes</em></a><em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>Guest: </strong>Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director at The Times and The Sunday Times.</p><p><strong>Host: </strong>David Aaronovitch.</p><p><strong>Clips</strong>: CBS, UK Parliament, ITV, 5 News, Times Radio.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>