MAYOR STEPS DOWN

Councillor claims Robert Doyle sexually harrassed her

A YOUNG councillor has sensationally claimed Lord Mayor Robert Doyle (pictured) groped her and sexually harassed her. The allegations have forced him to stand aside.

Melbourne City Council is in turmoil after councillor Tessa Sullivan made a complaint Mr Doyle made lewd comments and once grabbed her breast.

A series of explosive claims have been levelled against the Lord Mayor including that he once told Ms Sullivan “I love cunnilingus”.

Council sources confirmed another councillor has also alleged the Lord Mayor touched her thigh, which was witnessed by a further councillor.

Ms Sullivan, a Doyle ally, sent town hall into a spin when she resigned on Friday and lodged a complaint with council chief executive Ben Rimmer. Council sources said Ms Sullivan, a mother of three, had complained Mr Doyle would also hug and kiss her in- appropriately.

Ms Sullivan has alleged Cr Doyle grabbed her breast as he exited his mayoral car - after he had given her a lift following post council-meeting drinks.

She told council bosses Cr Doyle had told her “I love cunnilingus” when they were using a lift to leave Town Hall.

The council has now hired a top silk to probe her complaints of ‘indecent assault, sexual harrasment and mis- conduct’ Mayor.

Ms Sullivan, who was on Team Doyle, also mentioned an incident in which Cr Doyle allegedly touched the thigh of another woman during a meeting in 2014.

Cr Doyle last night categorically rejected all claims against him.

He said in a statement issued yesterday afternoon that he was shocked by the “thoroughly abhorrent” allegations against the Lord made against him, which council sources confirmed have been detailed to council management.

“Not only as Lord Mayor but as a father of young women, a husband, a brother and as the head of an office made up entirely of women,” he said.

“I have not been officially informed of the specifics (but) I welcome the investigation and will co-operate fully to clear my name.”