Woman corporal denies indecent assault

Corporal Rose McLaughlin, 35, is alleged to have indecently assaulted the 25-year-old wren during a staff Christmas party at Tony Blair's country retreat in Buckinghamshire.

Cpl McLaughlin, appearing before a court martial at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, on Wednesday, denies the charge.

Housekeeper Linda Lalley told the court martial that Cpl McLaughlin admitted "misreading the signs" when she visited the Wren, who was dressed in her underwear after the party, in her room.

'Misread the signs'

Cpl McLaughlin, a cook, told Mrs Lalley her version of events after the incident on 18 December last year.

Mrs Lalley told the hearing that in one exchange in a sitting room at Chequers, Cpl McLaughlin said: "Yes, I remember the breasts, however I refute the rest."

Mrs Lalley said Cpl McLaughlin told her she went into the Wren's room.

She went on: "Rose said she misread the signs and basically attempted to embrace her back.

"She said that she did touch her breasts and there was a struggle and that she may have touched further but she didn't agree with the hand down the pants or being forced out of the room and grabbing her leg."

Mrs Lalley said the inquiry was being conducted against a background of preparations for a state visit.

Cpl McLaughlin "confessed" in an earlier meeting four days after the incident, while Mrs Lalley was preparing dinner for Mr Blair.

Cpl McLaughlin allegedly told her: "I'm really sorry, I'm really sorry, I can't believe I did it.

'Kissed Wren'

"I can't really remember what I did. All I remember is that I was out of order."

Mrs Lalley said Cpl McLaughlin had said she had probably ruined the Wren's life and said: "I've had it now, I've just confessed to you."

Mrs Lalley, a long-standing employee at Chequers, said that during the party the "extrovert" Cpl McLaughlin had kissed the Wren, to her embarrassment, in front of all the other guests to thank her for finding a number on her mobile phone.

Mrs Lalley said: "It was more than a peck but it wasn't a full-blown passionate kiss.

"The Wren looked a bit awkward about this so I said in a joking manner to help her out `stop snogging you two'."

The hearing continues.