A Conservative MP's aide has denied raping a woman at the Palace of Westminster last October.

Samuel Armstrong, 23, from Danbury in Essex, is charged with two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration in relation to the alleged attack in October last year.

Armstrong, who has been suspended as chief of staff to South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, wore a suit and pleaded not guilty to all four counts as he stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court.

It is alleged that Armstrong intentionally penetrated a woman without her consent last October at the Palace of Westminster.

He is also alleged to have touched her sexually on the same day without her consent.

Judge Deborah Taylor ordered him to appear for trial on December 11, which is estimated to last five to seven days. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled to take place on September 29.

Armstrong was bailed on the condition he does not enter the Palace of Westminster or contact the alleged victim.