Marles in Kitching denial

DEPUTY Labor leader Richard Marles has declared Kimberley Kitching did not make a formal complaint to him about how her colleagues treated her.

Allies of Senator Kitching have claimed she was bullied by senior Labor senators Penny Wong, Katy Gallagher and Kristina Keneally before her shock death this month.

It was further alleged Senator Kitching had gone to Mr Marles (inset) about the behaviour.

All three senators have emphatically denied they bullied senator Kitching, and Opposition

Leader Anthony Albanese has ruled out launching an inquiry into the treatment of Senator Kitching.

Mr Marles on Friday backed his leader’s decision.

“I’ve had many conversations with Kimberley over the years and in her time as a senator,” he told Nine’s Today.

“They are obviously private conversations. Normally I wouldn’t really speak about them at all, but given what has been out there, I have made it clear that Kimberley did not make a complaint to me.

“She didn’t ask me to take action. She was unhappy about the Senate tactics committee obviously, but she didn’t make a complaint to me and she didn’t seek action.”