A FEMALE Labour MP has reported a frontbench colleague to the Metropolitan Police over an alleged sexual assault.
The incident is alleged to have taken place after a summer party in London in July 2021, according to Tortoise.
The news website reported that two sources corroborated the female MP’s claim, saying she had alerted them to the assault shortly afterwards. They also wrote that senior party figures, including at least one other shadow minister, were also made aware of the claim.
She was encouraged to make a formal complaint but told Tortoise she felt his popularity within the party would stand against her. No action was taken as a result and he has remained in his post.
The Labour MP has also spoken to Labour whips over safeguarding issues and concerns about a “wider pattern of behaviour”.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “We take any allegations of this sort very seriously and would always encourage individuals to go to the parliamentary process, the Labour Party process or the police. In terms of the Labour Party process, it is a thorough, robust and independent process that individuals can have confidence in.”
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: "In March 2023, police received a report that a woman was sexually assaulted by a man in London in July 2021.
"At the victim’s request the incident will not now be investigated at this time. Enquiries were at assessment stage. A formal investigation had not been launched."
