Woman will deny making up false claims of sex abuse against politicians
Esther Baker appeared at Liverpool Magistrate's Court
A woman will deny she made up false claims of sexual abuse against two former politicians.
Esther Baker, 43, indicated not guilty pleas to four charges of perverting the course of justice when she made a brief appearance at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Two of the allegations relate to former Lib Dem MP John Hemming and the late Lib Dem peer Roy Jenkins.
She is also accused of falsely identifying Simon Cole, the former chief constable of Leicestershire Police, who died in 2022, as someone who had aided or abetted the commission of sexual offences against her.
Details of the allegations were not read out in court but according to court documents, Baker is alleged to have falsely identified Mr Hemming as a person who had committed sexual offences against her.
Baker is said to have made similar claims about former Labour and Social Democratic Party MP Mr Jenkins who died in 2003.
She faces a fourth allegation that on one or more occasions she said she was the victim of sexual offences committed by groups or males in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, along with at other outdoor locations, private houses and locations unknown.
All the above alleged offences are said to have been committed between December 31 2014 and September 19 2020.
Baker's solicitor, David Woods, said his client indicated not guilty pleas.
He told the court:
"She maintains the accusations in the case are truthful."
District Judge Timothy Boswell granted unconditional bail to Baker, of Bridgeford Avenue, West Derby, Liverpool.
She will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on February 11.
Last week the Crown Prosecution Service said the charges had been brought following an extensive investigation into claims made during a probe into alleged organised sexual abuse by public figures.