This report contains details of a sexual nature that some readers may find distressing.

Conor McGregor’s friend has told the jury in his civil legal action case in the High Court that, “never in a million years,” would he be the fall guy for someone accused of rape.

James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12; and Mr McGregor, are being sued by a woman who claims to have been raped by both men in a Dublin hotel.

Mr Lawrence has claimed he and Nikita Hand, the 35-year-old plaintiff in this case, had consensual sex on two occasions in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel on December 9th 2018, sometime after she claims she was raped by Conor McGregor.

Ms Hand says she has no recollection of having sex with him and accused him of making up a story when she gave her evidence earlier in this trial.

When it was put to Mr Lawrence that he was willing to be a ‘patsy’ or the fall guy for Mr McGregor, he said, “never in a million years would he do that,” for anyone.

He asked, “what man would put themselves up for the rape of a woman?”

When the suggestion was put to Mr McGregor today, he replied, “how silly,” and said, “there was no colluding in all of this".

Both men deny the allegations, claiming everything that happened in the hotel was consensual, and both have accused Ms Hand of telling lies.

If you have been impacted by rape or sexual assault you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre 24-Hour National Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

Split image: L, Conor McGregor, R, James Lawrence.