This Day in History: 1987 MP on gay sex charges

Conservative MP Harvey Proctor has appeared in court charged with indecency.
Mr Proctor, who represents Billericay in Essex, said nothing to waiting journalists at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in central London.
In court, the MP was accused of committing three acts of gross indecency with one male and one act of gross indecency with another – both teenagers.
All the offences are alleged to have taken place between June and August last year.
Bachelor Mr Proctor, 40, was remanded on bail until next month after his lawyer, Sir David Napley, asked the court for more time to prepare his case.
“There are various other inquires to be made and various evidence I am anxious to obtain,” Sir David said.
The Billericay MP has denied all the allegations against him.
Lurid allegations surrounding Mr Proctor’s sex life surfaced last September when allegations appeared in a Sunday newspaper claiming he had organised gay spanking sessions with boys in his London flat.
Since he was charged eight days ago members of Mr Proctor’s constituency party have been demanding a meeting to discuss his future as their MP.
He has already survived two attempts to oust him over the allegations.
Mr Proctor also sits on the executive of the right-wing Monday Club and has expressed controversial views on immigration.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Harvey Proctor resigned as MP for Billericay shortly before his trial in May 1987.
He pleaded guilty and was fined a total of £1,450.
The following year, with financial backing from former colleagues, including Michael Heseltine and Jeffrey Archer, he opened two shops selling luxury shirts.
In 1992 Mr Proctor and Neil Hamilton, then a government minister, were assaulted by two men on a “gay bashing expedition”.
Mr Hamilton’s nose was broken in the attack in Mr Proctor’s shop in Richmond-on-Thames.
In 2000 Harvey Proctor’s stores were forced into liquidation after legal action by Customs and Excise over an unpaid VAT bill.