**Laurence Fox Denies Sexual Offences Act Allegations in Court Appearance**
Laurence Fox, the actor who has turned his hand to politics, has appeared in court to answer charges brought under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The case revolves around allegations that Fox shared an intimate photograph of television personality Narinder Kaur on social media, an accusation he vehemently denies.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London on Friday, Fox, aged 46, faced two charges in relation to images reportedly posted online in April 2024. One count accuses him of distributing a “photograph or film of a person in an intimate state intending to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation,” while the second alleges he shared an explicit image of a person’s genitals for the same reasons.
Throughout the brief hearing, Fox, dressed plainly in grey jeans and a pale blue shirt, confirmed his identity to the bench and formally entered not guilty pleas to both counts. He attended the proceedings accompanied by his partner, Elizabeth Barker, drawing the attention of both the public and the press.
The allegations centre on Narinder Kaur, a notable media presence thanks to her regular slots on Good Morning Britain and previous appearances on GB News. The prosecution claims Fox posted a compromising image of Kaur in a tweet, breaching laws designed to tackle the sharing of sexual images without consent, sometimes referred to as “cyber flashing”.
Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act, under which Fox has been charged, came into force in 2023 to address such modern forms of harassment. The law criminalises the intentional distribution of sexual images without the subject’s consent with the purpose of causing alarm, distress, humiliation, or for sexual gratification.
This legislative update follows broader efforts in recent years to combat digital sexual offences in the UK. It builds on earlier measures such as the criminalisation of “upskirting” in 2019, where taking photos underneath someone’s clothing without their permission became a specific offence. The introduction of section 66A has been widely seen as a necessary step to address harassment in the digital era.
If convicted under these offences, perpetrators could face up to two years’ imprisonment. Furthermore, such convictions could result in the individual being placed on the sex offenders’ register—a significant and lasting consequence.
After confirming his not guilty plea, Fox chose to have his case heard before a jury in crown court, rather than by a magistrate alone. As a result, the case was sent to Woolwich Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing scheduled for 23 May. Legal experts note that opting for a jury trial often indicates a desire for the evidence to be examined by members of the public, rather than solely by legal professionals.
Fox, who was formerly a presenter on GB News before being dismissed in October 2023 following controversial comments made during a live broadcast, rose to fame as James Hathaway in the long-running ITV drama series Lewis. In recent years, he has become an increasingly polarising figure, moving into the political sphere and remaining in the public eye through both his commentary and activities on social media.
Fox’s legal team has not commented in detail, but he remains steadfast in his denials. The forthcoming crown court proceedings are likely to draw further media scrutiny, given the high profile of both Fox and the complainant.
The trial is set against the backdrop of tightening UK laws around online harassment and the distribution of intimate images, a growing social issue as the digital landscape evolves. Observers will be watching closely, not only for the verdict but also for what the proceedings may signal in terms of legal precedent and public expectations regarding privacy and consent in the internet age.