Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Labour MP is suspended over ‘serious allegations of unacceptable behaviour’
Davies probed over claims of sexual advances to 5 women
AN MP was suspended yesterday after five women alleged he sexually harassed them.
Geraint Davies faces an investigation by the Labour Party over the claims, including from two MPS.
He denied the allegations, but said he was sorry if he had inadvertently caused offence.
Labour said the Swansea West MP, 63, has been suspended, which means he has had the whip removed and will sit as independent in Westminster.
It added: “These are incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour.”
The youngest woman to say she was targeted was 19 at the time. He is alleged to have made her feel uncomfortable and under pressure at a party conference, when he is said to have invited her to his hotel room.
On another occasion Mr Davies is claimed to have approached a drunken 22-year-old and sent her sexually suggestive messages.
Two MPS allege he touched them without their consent, with one saying she felt deeply uncomfortable when he pressed his legs against her in a meeting.
She spoke to party whips, it is claimed, but she did not make a formal complaint.
Another MP said Mr Davies had put his hand on her waist after a late vote in the Commons, and said: “Glad we can go home now.”
A fifth woman, who used to work in Parliament, said Mr Davies repeatedly made remarks about her appearance and said things like “you smell nice” and “you’re my favourite person to sit next to”.
All the incidents are claimed to have taken place over the past five years.
Yesterday afternoon a sixth woman is understood to have made a formal complaint about Mr Davies’ conduct.
There were also allegations by one Labour MP he would bring sex workers to one of the Commons’ bars. They told Sky News: “He would openly boast about bringing escorts and prostitutes on to the terrace and show them off.” They claimed he was spoken to by party officials but no formal complaints had been made.
A Labour peer claimed he could often be seen in the Parliamentary bar with young women, with talk of him “favouring Eastern Europeans”.
The unnamed MP said: “He would look you up and down, make lewd comments and touch you around the waist behind you.”
Labour said: “We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward. Any complainant will have access to an independent support service who provide confidential and independent advice from experts.”
Mr Davies told the Politico website he did not recognise the allegations, saying: “If I have inadvertently caused offence, then I am naturally sorry.”
The Mirror has contacted Mr Davies for comment.
We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward LABOUR PARTY LAUNCH INVESTIGATION