‘Groping Tory’ had drunk a gallon of beer

A former special advisor to Sir Michael Fallon accused of groping a woman after calling her ‘beautiful’ told police he drank a gallon of beer before the incident. Richard Holden, 33, allegedly put his hands inside the 24-year-old’s coat and up her skirt at a Christmas party at his £1m home in December 2016. Holden had pestered the woman throughout the evening with hugs and complimented her on her looks, Southwark Crown Court heard. Following the alleged assault the alleged…