Belfast Crown Court heard that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon, 71, has been formally charged with common assault following an alleged incident on October 1, 2023. No further details about the alleged incident have been publicly disclosed at this time.
The prosecution will seek to amend filing dates previously submitted to the court, as confirmed by Public Prosecution Service representatives. Shannon’s defense team, led by solicitor Conan Rea, emphasized that their client maintains he has not committed any offense. “My client denies all the allegations made against him,” Rea stated during Monday’s proceedings, noting the case remains “factually contested.”
The court received written objections from the defense regarding the prosecution’s amended documentation timeline. These objections, filed as a skeleton argument, will be addressed during ongoing legal submissions. Judge Trevor Browne adjourned the matter until September 1, pending responses from prosecution counsel.
Shannon has maintained parliamentary representation since 2010, serving Strangford constituency in the UK House of Commons. Prior to this, he held seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly through three consecutive elections between 1998 and 2007. This marks his first publicized legal proceeding since ascending to Westminster.
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