Laurence Fox has denied sharing a compromising photo of TV star Narinder Kaur on social media.
The actor-turned-politician is alleged to have shared a compromising image in a tweet posted in April 2024 of Kaur, who appears regularly on Good Morning Britain and has previously appeared on GB News.
Fox, of Peldon in Essex in the UK, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
He is accused of sharing a "photograph or film of person in intimate state intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation", in the first count, while the second alleges he sent a "photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation".
The 46-year-old, wearing grey jeans and a light blue shirt, spoke to confirm his identity and enter not guilty pleas to both charges.
The police previously said Fox had been "charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003", which "relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024".
Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act relates to "cyber flashing".
The charge, introduced in the UK in 2023, makes it an offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification.
Upskirting, taking pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a specific criminal offence in 2019.
Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders’ register.
During the brief hearing, Fox elected for a jury trial at the UK Crown Court.
He will appear at Woolwich Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on 23 May.
Fox was fired from GB News in October 2023 after an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans.
He previously starred as James Hathaway in ITV’s drama series Lewis.
Source: Press Association
