Rape case civil servant in court

A senior civil servant appeared in court today charged with rape and indecent assault.

Michael Burrell, 34, who played a "key role" in the Hutton Inquiry, is alleged to have attacked the woman in the Lord Chancellor's private office during a party.

The victim claimed she was assaulted after being pinned down to the floor.

The attack happened during a party to mark the start of the new legal year which was attended by senior lawyers, civil servants and government officials.

Detectives arrested Burrell as he arrived for work at the Westminster offices of Lord Falconer, head of the judicial system.

Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations Scotland Yard Commissioner-Sir John Stevens has overseen the investigation.

Burrell, of Crawley, was charged at Belgravia police station on Tuesday with one count of rape and one count of indecent assault between 28 September and 1 October last year.

He was remanded on bail at Horseferry magistrates' court today and is to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 19 May.