A Newcastle councillor has been charged with sexual assault and is due to appear in court next week.
Thom Campion, who represents the Castle ward on Newcastle City Council, has been charged with one count of sexual assault on a female and will appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 3 September.
The 27-year-old, of Warkworth Woods in Newcastle Great Park, is accused of an offence alleged to have taken place in March 2023 in Newcastle.
Coun Campion has served on the council since 2021, when he won a by-election following the death of former Newcastle Liberal Democrat leader Anita Lower. The Castle ward covers areas including Kingston Park, Newcastle Great Park, Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg.
Originally elected as a Liberal Democrat, Coun Campion was “suspended without prejudice” by the party last year pending an investigation into a complaint made against him. He has since been sitting as an independent councillor.
The suspension was confirmed in October 2024, with a spokesperson for the council’s Liberal Democrat opposition group stating at the time: “The group has been informed that Thom Campion has been the subject of a complaint received by party HQ. His party membership, together with his group membership, have been suspended without prejudice until an investigation is concluded.”
No details of the original complaint were made public at the time of his party suspension.
Prior to his election to the council, Coun Campion had served as the Liberal Democrats‘ spokesman on transport issues. He won the Castle ward seat with 1,306 votes, representing 42.36% of the vote share, in the September 2021 by-election.
Coun Campion has also sought higher office, standing as a Parliamentary candidate for Cramlington and Killingworth at the 2024 general election. He previously stood for the Blyth Valley constituency in 2019, when he campaigned under the name Thom Chapman.
The charge against Coun Campion relates to an alleged incident that occurred more than two years ago, in March 2023, according to court documents.
Newcastle City Council has been contacted for comment regarding the charge and whether any action will be taken pending the outcome of court proceedings.
The Liberal Democrats have also been approached for comment about the status of their investigation into Coun Campion following his suspension last year.
Sexual assault cases in England and Wales are prosecuted when the Crown Prosecution Service determines there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to proceed with charges.
Coun Campion’s court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, 3 September at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where he will be asked to enter a plea to the charge.
Following his suspension from the Liberal Democrats, the political composition of Newcastle City Council currently stands at: Labour 52, Liberal Democrats 19, Independents 4, and Newcastle Independents 3, making a total of 78 councillors.
The council continues to be run by Labour, who have held control since 2011. The Liberal Democrats serve as the official opposition, having previously led the council from 2004 to 2011.
Anyone affected by sexual assault can contact support services including Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 or the Survivors Trust on 08088 010818.
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