Labour suspends MP over sexual harassment claims

LONDON: Labour MP Ivan Lewis has been suspended from the party amid allegations of sexual harassment, a party spokesperson has conirmed.

The former minister was already under investigation after an oficial complaint was submitted to the Labour party last week over his personal conduct, claiming he repeatedly touched the leg of a 19-year-old and invited her back to his house at a Labour social event.

Lewis, who will now sit as an independent MP, said he “strongly disputed” the allegations and vowed to co-operate with the party to clear his name.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously.

“Lewis is currently suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

In a statement to The Independent, the Bury South MP said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of my suspension pending investigation.

“I strongly dispute the allegations and intend to co-operate fully with the Labour Party’s investigation.”

Lewis is among a string of MPS facing misconduct probes after all the main Westminster parties were engulfed in allegations of sexual harassment and abuse.

Labour has already withdrawn the whip from Shefield Hallam MP Jared O’mara over a series of misogynistic and homophobic comments he made before he won his seat from former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in June.

Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins has also been suspended while the party investigates a complaint of sexual harassment made by a young activist. He denies the claims.