Conservative MP charged with sexual assault of party colleague

The conservative MP Daniel Serrano is under investigation by the Catalan High Court for an alleged case of the sexual assault of a party colleague, with whom he had a "sentimental relationship" between 2015 and 2016.

According to the victim’s testimony, she experienced "physical, verbal, and psychological abuse", and also suffered some mild injuries. 

Serrano resigned as the deputy head of the People’s Party in Catalonia on Monday and announced he will quit parliament after the February 14 election.

The conservative politician refutes the criminal charges, denounces "blackmail", and says the case aims to undermine his image ahead of the Catalan election, with the campaign due to start on Friday. 

The first lawsuit was filed in 2019 at a regular court, with the case later being transferred to the Catalan High Court (TSJC), which has the authority to prosecute MPs and other public officials benefiting from political immunity. The TSJC opened an investigation following a report from the public prosecutor confirming criminal evidence.

Both the victim and the accused gave their testimony in court last December, but the case remains open as the investigation.