UAE tolerance minister will not be charged in UK for alleged sexual assault

UK prosecutors on Thursday said they would not charge the UAE Minister for Tolerance after a British woman alleged that he sexually assaulted her while she was working on a literary festival in Abu Dhabi.

Hay Festival of Literature and Arts worker Caitlin McNamara, 32, who has waived her right to anonymity, said the assault happened when she visited minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at a private island villa on Valentine's Day this year.

Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had "carefully reviewed" evidence uncovered during a Metropolitan Police investigation and that possible charges of sexual assault and torture were considered.

"However, after thorough consideration, we have concluded that the evidence does not support a prosecution and will not be taking the case any further," it added.

Although the alleged incident took place outside of Britain, the minister could have been charged if an offence occurred during "the performance or purported performance of their official duties".

However, prosecutors said that legal test had not been met.

McNamara said the attack occurred when she accepted an invitation to meet the sheikh shortly before the opening of the inaugural Hay Festival Abu Dhabi, but he has denied any wrongdoing.

In the UK, she later made a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police.

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