A RIBBLE Valley-born Conservative politician has been acquitted of sexually assaulting a woman at a party.

Richard Holden was special adviser to ex-defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

He unsuccessfully attempted to win the Tory nomination for Blackburn and fought Preston for the party in the 2015 General Election.

Mr Holden, 33, was born in Grindleton where his parents Mark and Joan still live.

The former senior Conservative Party press officer was accused of groping the woman under her skirt in London in 2016.

The 33-year-old was employed as one of Sir Michael's media advisers until early last year.

He was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Holden said: "I am incredibly relieved."

The jury of eight men and four women returned unanimous verdicts after deliberating for less than an hour.