Ryan Beckwith broke down into tears as he flatly denied that he engaged in non-consensual activity with the complainant, saying that was "something I'd never do", and also denied that he had "abused his position of seniority" in any way.

Starting his defence today (October 4) of the allegation that he had sexual contact with a junior associate without her consent, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Beckwith took to the stand, responding to questions from his counsel, Alisdair Williamson QC.

Protesting his innocence, Beckwith insisted he was "a good person" that "wouldn't take advantage of anyone", and that non-consensual sexual activity would be "beyond anything I could ever contemplate". He said he was "in no doubt" about the fact that Person A had the capacity to think for herself on the night in question. He at times also intimated that it was in fact Person A who had initiated the physical contact.