John Woodcock suspended from Labour whip over sexual harassment claims
2 min read
John Woodcock has been suspended by the Labour party over allegations that he sexually harassed a female aide.
The claims against the Barrow and Furness MP were first made in November last year, and revealed in some newspapers on Sunday.
Mr Woodcock is accused of sending a former staff member inappropriate texts and emails from 2014 to 2016.
It has now emerged that Labour general secretary Jennie Formby has decided to suspend Mr Woodcock - an outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn - from the Labour whip pending a hearing by the party's main disciplinary body.
In a Mr Woodcock said: "In November last year a complaint was made against me alleging sexual harassment. The following month, after considering initial evidence, I was informed that the party’s harassment panel had referred the complaint to the party’s National Constitutional Committee and I should expect a hearing ‘early in the new year’.
"I was advised to maintain the confidentiality of the case to ensure the fairness of the process and to reassure other complainants that they could bring forward cases without being exposed to unwelcome publicity.
"I do not accept the charge being brought against me but have been co-operating fully with the process and remain committed to a thorough and fair investigation of the case.
"I am therefore very concerned that one of the very few individuals with knowledge of the case chose to place selective details of it in newspapers this weekend. Labour’s new general secretary has cited this publicity as a reason to suspend me from the Labour whip.
"The decision at this politically-charged time to place details of my case in the press and then suspend me places a serious question mark over the integrity of the process, which serves neither those making complaints nor those facing allegations.
"I want this complaint to be judged in a way that is seen to be fair. In the meantime, I will continue working hard for my constituents in parliament and in Furness, and will continue to speak out when I believe it is right to do so."
A Labour party spokesperson said: "John Woodcock has been suspended from the Labour party pending due process. It would not be appropriate to comment further on an ongoing case."
Mr Woodcock intervened in a Commons debate last month to accuse Mr Corbyn of lying after he told MPs he had long been an outspoken critics of Russia.
PoliticsHome also reported in March that Mr Woodcock had told pals he was thinking of resigning the Labour whip in protest at the party's direction under Mr Corbyn's leadership
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