Labour president resigns over handling of sex claims
A series of claims have contradicted Haworth
Labour Party president Nigel Haworth has resigned. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the resignation yesterday afternoon, after a series of claims from complainants that contradicted Haworth and his handling of the complaints.
“In the past 48 hours I have read incredibly distressing reports of an alleged sexual assault involving members of the Labour Party,” Ardern said.
“This morning I was provided some of the correspondence from complainants written to the party several months ago. It confirms that the allegations made were extremely serious, that the process caused complainants additional distress, and that ultimately, in my view, the party was never equipped to appropriately deal with the issue.”
Ardern said Haworth continued to stand by his view that neither he nor the Labour Party’s panel that investigated the complaints knew about a sexual assault claim.
But she said that mistakes had been made.
“Raising an allegation of sexual assault is an incredibly difficult thing to do; for additional distress to be caused through the way those allegations are handled is incredibly upsetting,” Ardern said.
“On behalf of the Labour Party I apologise to the complainants for the way this matter has been dealt with.”
A 19-year-old woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a Labour staffer has called the party “cowardly”.
Haworth said he and the panel did not know about a sexual assault claim, but the woman said that she
had personally told Haworth and the panel about the allegation verbally and through email.
A second complainant has also said that he personally told Haworth about the woman’s sexual assault allegation.
The party’s investigating panel looked into seven formal complaints against the Labour staffer, but decided in July that no disciplinary action was needed.
The party then asked party solicitor Hayden Wilson, of Kensington Swan, to review the investigation process. Maria Dew, QC, has now been brought in to review not only the process but also the complaints themselves, following complainants’ concerns that allegations of sexual assault were ignored and that the process was botched and unfair.
Ardern said she still wanted Dew to complete the review and resolve the conflicting accounts.
“I have previously said I would be happy to meet with complainants, and that remains the case.
“I will take steps to make that offer available to them if they wish to take it up.”
Haworth said his resignation was effective immediately.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that regardless of the outcome of the appeal process into complaints about a party member, fresh leadership will be required to take forward any recommendations from that process.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as president and will continue in my lifelong support of Labour and its principles.”
He said he would not be making any further comment.
The 19-year-old woman has said that the Labour staffer pinned her down and attacked her in a private residence.
However, the staffer’s lawyer says that the claim is “without foundation”.
The staffer agreed five weeks ago to work away from the Parliamentary precinct, though complainants have reportedly said they have seen him on the premises during that time.