Max Clifford in court on 1981 indecent assault charge

Max Clifford is to appear in court charged with one count of indecent assault.

The former publicist, who is accused of committing the offence in 1981, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said earlier this month when news of the charge was announced: “We have carefully considered the evidence gathered as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to Max Clifford, who was arrested at Littlehey Prison on March 12.

“Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Clifford to be charged with one offence of indecent assault.”

Scotland Yard said Clifford was charged with indecent assault on a woman aged over 16.

Clifford represented some of the biggest names in showbusiness – including pop mogul Simon Cowell, reality TV star Jade Goody and boxer Muhammad Ali – in a career that spanned more than 40 years.

He became famous for brokering deals with the tabloids for kiss and tell stories and was behind the tale that spawned the infamous headline Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster.