LABOUR MP Geraint Davies has been suspended from the party pending an investigation into “incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour”.
The Swansea West MP has had the whip removed while the party carries out an investigation.
A Labour spokesperson said: “We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward to the Labour Party’s investigation.”
Who is Geraint Davies?
He is the Labour MP for Swansea West, a seat he has held since 2010. Before that he was the member of parliament for Croydon Central between 1997 and 2005. He lost his seat by 75 votes. Before becoming a member of parliament he was a Croydon councillor and later leader of the council.
The 63-year-old was born in Chester and is married to Vanessa Fry.
What is he accused of?
Politico reported on Thursday that women had accused Davies of sexually harassing junior colleagues.
They claimed there had been instances of propositioning on the parliamentary estate, inappropriate touching, and sexually suggestive messages including ones that alluded to masturbating at Westminster.
Davies has said he does not “recognise” the allegations made against him, according to Politico.
He told Politico: “I don’t recognise the allegations suggested and do not know who has made them. None of them, as far as I know, has been lodged as complaints with the Labour Party or parliament.
“If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry as it is important that we share an environment of mutual and equal respect for all.”
What are the Labour Party doing?
Labour have launched an internal investigation into the allegations. A spokesperson for the party said: “These are incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour.
“We strongly encourage anyone with a complaint to come forward to the Labour Party’s investigation.
“Any complainant will have access to an independent support service who provide confidential and independent guidance and advice from external experts throughout the process.”
